Fallen Apache Junction officer was a Mexican immigrant, dreamt of serving

PHOENIX — A fallen Apache Junction officer was a Mexican immigrant who came to the country with a dream to serve.

“Right after he got married 25 years ago, he came to the United States with the whole intention of getting his citizenship to become a police officer. And he made that goal,” Apache Junction Police Department Chief Michael Pooley said during a Sunday press conference.

Officer Gabriel Facio died on Sunday afternoon after he was shot in the line of duty last week.

He was shot in the face while responding to a call about a man brandishing a firearm while driving.

Fallen Apache Junction officer inspired others

The four-year veteran was a husband, father and a grandfather. Facio’s daughter was preparing to get married in August.

Facio graduated from the Phoenix Police Department Academy in 2020 where he “touched a lot of lives,” Pooley said.

He was 46 years old and started his law enforcement career later in life since he had to go through the process of becoming a citizen, according to Pooley.

Pooley remembered a ride-along he did with Facio about eight months ago.

“During that whole time all he talked about is how great it was to be out there on the streets of Apache Junction. And how great it was to serve,” Pooley said. “And he would always tell me just how proud he was to wear this uniform.”

The fallen Apache Junction PD officer was a man of faith who served as a pastor, according to Pooley.

“He just would embrace somebody he didn’t even know. He would offer his services. He would just be there to comfort them with words of comfort, and it was just amazing.”

“He was just an amazing human being,” Pooley said.

The Apache Junction PD will be hosting a barbecue fundraiser for Facio’s family on Wednesday at Apache Junction High School from 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

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