Joshua Briese, a relatively new member of the Gila River Police Department, arrived at the scene early Saturday morning in response to a 911 disturbance call. Despite having not yet completed field training, Briese, along with another tribal police officer, promptly attended to the situation, which involved a sizable crowd.
Multiple gunshots were fired, and as a result, both officers were struck. Additionally, four other individuals sustained injuries during the incident, according to the police.
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According to police, Briese was pronounced dead at the hospital, while the other officer, whose identity has not been disclosed yet, is in serious but stable condition.
According to police, one of the four individuals who were injured later passed away. As of Sunday, the identities of the victims have not been released.
The FBI Phoenix expressed their heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, stating, “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues,” in a statement released on Saturday.
“Gila River police expressed their heartfelt condolences and prayers for the police officers involved in this tragic incident, as well as their families and all those affected.”
Briese, who was only 23 years old, tragically lost his life while serving as a sheriff’s deputy in Montana. It is especially heartbreaking because his father, who was also a former sheriff’s deputy, had also made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
David Briese lost his life in a car accident back in November 2006, as stated by the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office on their official Facebook page.
According to news reports, David Briese was responding to a backup call for an officer who was handling a combative impaired driver in Billings, Montana.
