‘A little piece of us was lost’: Police officer killed in line of duty after being shot in face

APACHE JUNCTION, AZ. (AZFamily/Gray News) - A police officer in Arizona who was shot in the line of duty has died, according to the department.

Officer Gabriel Facio, a three-year veteran of the Apache Junction Police Department, died from his injuries on Sunday.

On Monday morning, officers were notified about a road rage incident where a driver pulled out a gun. Police pulled the driver over, identified as 37-year-old Roger Nunez.

Initially, he was cooperative with police but became aggressive when they asked him to step out of his car.

Investigators say Nunez then pulled out a handgun from his glove compartment and walked away from the scene.

Officers told him to stop, but he refused and told officers “to shoot him.”

Authorities attempted to use less-lethal pepper balls to stop Nunez, but they had no effect. Officials say he then fired four rounds, striking Officer Facio in the face.

Several other officers returned fire and wounded Nunez. He was rushed to the hospital in extremely critical condition.

Chief Pooley said Officer Facio’s heart had stopped at the hospital, but medical staff were able to bring him back. His family flew in from Mexico, Texas, and all around the country to say their goodbyes.

The department posted on social media announcing the ing of Officer Facio.

“A little piece of us was lost as Officer Facio took his last breath surrounded by family and friends,” the department said. “He was a beloved father, husband, son, brother, friend and police officer who showed his ion for people through his service to others.”

This is the first line-of-duty death for the Apache Junction Police Department. The last time they lost an officer was in 1987 during a training accident.

Before ing the Apache Junction Police Department, he was a police officer in Phoenix and worked with several other law enforcement agencies in the Valley.

“The most important thing he was proud of is being a father,” said Chief Pooley. “His dad and his mom are crushed. His wife is devastated. His kids are lost, but every one of them has wanted me to let everyone know in the community how much they know they are ed and loved.”

Police say Nunez is still in the hospital and is now facing homicide charges.

Officer Facio leaves behind his wife and two kids.

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