Incident Overview

Gila River, AZ – A tragic incident unfolded early Saturday morning, leaving one Gila River police officer dead and another hospitalized after a shooting incident. The Gila River Public Safety Dispatch received a distress call around 2 a.m. reporting a disturbance at a residence in Santan, located in District 4 of the Gila River Indian Community. Upon arrival, officers encountered a large crowd amidst multiple gunshots, resulting in injuries to six individuals, including the two officers.

Officer Joshua Briese: A Life of Service

One of the officers, identified as Officer Joshua Briese, tragically succumbed to his injuries. Briese, who had been with the Gila River Police Department for less than a year, was still in the field training phase at the time of the incident. His untimely death is particularly poignant, as he followed in the footsteps of his late father, Deputy Dave Briese of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, who also lost his life in the line of duty in 2006 in Montana.

Community and Official Responses

The news of Officer Briese’s death prompted an outpouring of condolences from both local and state officials. Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community expressed profound sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the community’s solidarity in grieving for the fallen officer and other victims of the violence.

City and state authorities, including the FBI Phoenix, Phoenix Police Department, Apache Junction Police Department, Mesa Police, Rep. Greg Stanton, and Pinal County Attorney Kent Volkmer, offered heartfelt tributes and messages of support to Officer Briese’s family, colleagues, and the Gila River community.

Ongoing Investigation

The Gila River Police Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. As the community seeks answers and grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, law enforcement agencies are working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the incident.

Conclusion: Honoring a Fallen Hero

As Gila River mourns the loss of Officer Joshua Briese, the community stands united in honoring his memory and expressing gratitude for his dedicated service. While words cannot alleviate the profound grief felt by his loved ones and colleagues, the collective support and remembrance serve as a testament to Officer Briese’s selfless commitment to protecting and serving his community.

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