A Phoenix officer is in extremely critical condition after he was shot while responding to a call of a residential burglary in progress in Laveen. “It is a very bad day,” said Phoenix Police Chief Joseph Yahner, who reported that the officer is “fighting for his life.”
“We encountered a suspect that was firing at us. He struck one of our officers,” said Yahner. “Our main concern is with his family right now. He is a good man.”
The shooting occurred in the 7700 block of South 48th Lane, near 51st Avenue and Baseline Road. The suspect was killed, and the officer was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said, “A Phoenix police officer is fighting for his life inside that hospital behind me. He did his job today serving the people of the City of Phoenix.”
The name of the officer was not released, but Yahner described him as 35 years old, and a 12 year veteran of the force.
“This afternoon a 12 year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department with a wife and two children was critically wounded in a shooting today,” Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio told constituents on Facebook. “ Please pray for this officer, his family and all of the Phoenix Police Department during this difficult time. The officer is fighting for his life and needs the community to keep him in their prayers.”