The family of fallen Apache Junction police officer Gabriel Facio has spoken to ABC15 in their first media interview following the release of body camera footage from the day of Facio's fatal shooting. Nearly six months have elapsed since the incident, and with the East Valley Critical Incident Response Team concluding its investigation, the Apache Junction Police Department released the footage showing the lead-up to Officer Facio being shot in the face, according to a report by ABC15.
During the heartrending interview, Officer Facio's daughter, Ana, described the impact of watching the footage, saying, "It definitely hurts a lot, just thinking that he was going on in his day, just doing what he loves, doing his job." Ana told ABC15, emphasizing the swiftness with which violence had removed her father from their lives. Mizael Facio, Officer Facio's son, added, "A tragedy this magnitude, you know, like we never see it coming," noting the unique pain of losing a parent to such a sudden act of violence.
On June 2, Officer Facio responded to a road rage call resulting in a traffic stop of suspect Roger Nunez, who initially claimed he was unarmed but subsequently pulled a gun on the officer. The ensuing confrontation escalated, and as more officers arrived, Facio was shot after police attempted to subdue Nunez using non-lethal force. Nunez was later hit by police fire and remains in custody, facing multiple charges including the pursuit of the death penalty, yet the officers involved will not be charged, as the footage confirmed their adherence to departmental policies, as per Yahoo News.
Reflecting on the tragic loss, Apache Junction Police Department Chief Michael Pooley talked about the internal review process, asserting that, "I watched this video for the first time the day after it happened," and despite the passage of time, he finds himself grappling with a combination of anger and heartbreak. as reported by Yahoo News. An event at Samurai Comics in Glendale saw officers and community members gather to honor first responders, especially Officer Facio for his sacrifice, where Mizael accepted an award on behalf of his late father.
In remembrance, Ana Facio touched on her father's love and kindness, from his dedication to his family to his generosity towards the homeless. At her wedding, Officer Facio’s absence was keenly felt; his police jacket and a photo took the place of where he would have sat. Chief Pooley, who attended the wedding in Mexico, spoke of the significance of a father's presence at his daughter's wedding and the effort to represent Officer Facio's spirit. Officer Facio realized his long-held dream of becoming a police officer later in life and served with the Apache Junction Police Department for nearly four years. "When he got it done, man, he was so proud of himself," Mizael Facio told ABC15, stressing his father's perseverance as an inspiration to his family.
