Officer Gabriel Facio - Apache Junction Police Department - Arizona

On the morning of June 2, 2025, Officer Gabriel Facio and other officers responded to a road-rage incident involving a driver who had allegedly threatened others with a gun.  The driver was initially cooperative after being pulled over.  

When the driver was instructed to exit the vehicle, he became aggressive, retrieved a handgun from the glove compartment, and exited the vehicle.  Officers ordered him to stop and attempted to subdue him with non-lethal weapons, but the driver fired at officers, striking Officer Gabriel Facio in the face.  Officers returned fire but only wounded the driver.  

Officer Gabriel Facio was rushed to the hospital.  Unfortunately, Officer Facio succumbed to his wounds on June 8, 2025.  

Police Officer Gabriel Facio died six days after being shot in the face by a driver who had been pulled over for brandishing a gun in a road-rage incident in the area near Ironwood Drive and Elliott Road.

The driver was also taken to the hospital. When he was released, he was charged with one count of first-degree murder, seven counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of disorderly conduct involving a weapon.

Officer Facio had served with the Apache Junction Police Department for nearly four years and had previously served as an officer in Phoenix and other agencies in the area. He is survived by his wife, daughter, son, parents, and a grandchild.

As part of our "Plaques for Heroes" campaign, engraved slate memorial plaques were sent to the Apache Junction Police Department and to Officer Gabriel Facio's family at no cost to honor his service and his sacrifice to the community of Apache Junction, Arizona. Our condolences to his family, his department and the community he served.