Gabriel Facio: Procession, funeral service for slain Apache Junction officer
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - On June 16, an Apache Junction police officer who was killed in the line of duty was laid to rest.
A procession and funeral service were held in honor of Officer Gabriel Facio, who was shot during a traffic stop on June 2 near Ironwood Drive and Elliot Road, and died at the hospital six days later.
The backstory:
Officer Facio was shot in the face on June 2 by an alleged road rage suspect. The suspect has since been identified as 37-year-old Roger Nunez, and the shooting reportedly happened after he was pulled over in the area of Ironwood Drive and Elliot Road.
"The male was not complying with our verbal directions. We attempted less lethal ammunition towards him to try to gain compliance. At that time, he brandished his firearm and fired at police officers. They returned fire, striking him as well as one of our officers was struck by his gunfire towards us," Apache Junction Police said in a previous statement.
Procession, funeral service for Ofc. Gabriel Facio
On June 16, an Apache Junction police officer who was killed in the line of duty will be laid to rest. A procession and funeral service are scheduled to take place in honor of Officer Gabriel Facio. FOX 10's Danielle Miller reports.
Procession honors Ofc. Facio
Ahead of Monday's funeral, the public was invited to stand along the procession route to pay their respects to Ofc. Facio. The route began at the Apache Junction Police Department, near Idaho Road and Superstition Boulevard, at 7:45 a.m.
Apache Junction Ofc. Gabriel Facio procession
SkyFOX was over a procession that was held on June 16 for fallen Apache Junction Police Officer Gabriel Facio, who died after being shot in the line of duty.
It then traveled west along Superstition Boulevard to the Mountain View Funeral Home, near Sossaman Road and Main Street. That's where several Valley law enforcement agencies joined Apache Junction Police. From there, the route proceeded along University Drive to the Central Christian Church, near Lindsay Road and Adobe Street.
"This is the least we can do to pay our respect and show our support, said one person.
Support pours in for slain Apache Junction Police officer Gabriel Facio
The Apache Junction Police community and the people it serves are mourning the loss of Officer Gabriel Facio. Donations and words of comfort poured in from across the state both before and after his death.