The Gila River Indian Community and the city of Gilbert, Arizona, came together to mourn the loss of Joshua Briese, a 23-year-old officer with the Gila River Police Department, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Officer Briese, an individual recently initiated into the force, was fatally shot during a tumultuous response to a disturbance on June 1. He was remembered in a memorial service on June 8, where attendees honored his brief yet impactful tenure on the force.
During the memorial service held in Gilbert, numerous speakers depicted him as a man of integrity, expressing sentiments of his unwavering commitment and valor, and another officer who was shot in the same incident survived, was released from the hospital, and managed to attend the somber affair, as detailed by 12 News. Captain Kent O'Donnell with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office characterized Officer Briese as "my friend, my hero," and assured that his watch would be carried on by those he left behind.
The son of Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff David Briese who also died in the line of duty, Officer Briese carried a legacy of service, having been known in his community for his protective nature and dedication to helping children with special needs among other community services. In memorial, Pastor Brett Humphrey of Sun Valley Community Church-South Gilbert shared thoughts from Briese's partner, saying, "Josh would always try to find the good in people and he was very respectful," and noted his ability to uplift spirits with his contagious laughter.
According to Chief Jesse Crabtree of the Gila River Police Department, the loss of Officer Briese is an indelible tragedy, a day etched in memories, and called Joshua "a young man with unimaginable strength, with character beyond question." For those wishing to honor the memory and service of Officer Briere, FOX 10 Phoenix informs donations can be made through the 100 Club of Arizona. Officer Briese is set to be laid to rest in Montana, where he had his roots and early life memories marked by a family tradition in law enforcement and an aura of giving back to the community he belonged to.
