Memorial service for deceased Gila River police officer

GILBERT, Arizona – This morning, hundreds of law enforcement officers and community members paid their final respects to the late Gila River Police Officer Joshua Briese, the 23-year-old officer who was killed in the line of duty last weekend.

Those who knew him best say he was a warrior who made the ultimate sacrifice.

It was a final farewell for Officer Briese, beginning with a procession at the Valley of the Sun Morgue and Cemetery in Chandler and ending with a memorial service at the Sun Valley Community Church in Gilbert.

“We are here today to celebrate the life of Joshua Briese,” said Pastor Brett Humphrey of Sun Valley Community Church-South Gilbert. “…to remember the impact he had on the people he met throughout his life.”

“Joshua Briese was an extraordinary man,” he said.

Emotions ran high as Pastor Humphrey read Briese’s partner’s words aloud.

“Josh always tried to find the good in people and he was very respectful,” Humphrey said. “… his laugh was infectious and he would light up a room whenever he walked in.”

“Joshua was something special, a young man of unimaginable strength and character beyond doubt,” said Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community. “… and a spirit of service that is far too rare today.”

“Never in my life did I think the Gila River Police Department or the Gila River Indian Community would suffer such a loss,” said Chief Jesse Crabtree of the Gila River Police Department.

Briese was shot and killed when he was called to a party that had gotten out of control in Santan at the Gila River Indian Community on June 1. He had been with the department for less than a year.

“This is a day we will remember for the rest of our lives,” said Gila River Police Chief Jesse Crabtree.

Briese, who was born in Billings, Montana, graduated from West High School in 2020. He was known as a very protective and generous person. He loved helping children in special education classes and volunteering for the Special Olympics. Briese enjoyed weightlifting, working out, and running and spent his time biking Beartooth Pass in Montana and hiking in Montana and Arizona.

Briese was the son of David Briese, a deputy sheriff with the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office who also died in the line of duty. His father died in a car crash in Montana in November 2006 while rushing to the scene of the accident.

RELATED TOPICS: Her husband died in the line of duty 18 years ago. Her son, an officer on the Gila River, died in the line of duty just a few days ago.

“Josh, my friend, my hero,” said Captain Kent O’Donnell of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. “We will miss you.”

O’Donnell knew Briese’s father.

“When Josh grew up after his father died, he wanted to be a police officer, that was the only thing he wanted to do,” O’Donnell said. “He had it in his head.”

“Joshua spent the next 18 years of his life working every day to make his father proud,” said Governor Lewis. “Officer Briese was successful in everything he did.”

Those closest to Briese say he was kind and caring, someone who was always cheerful and had a great sense of humor. He was known for genuinely caring about everyone around him. Protecting people and being fair was in his blood.

His relatives will remember Briese as a selfless, determined, modest and helpful person.

“He made a lasting impression when he got his wings to watch us from above,” Crabtree said.

“Don’t worry, we have The Watch,” O’Donnell said.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags flown at half-mast in honor of Breise. In a post on X (formerly Twitter)Governor Hobbs wrote, “Officer Briese will be remembered for his selflessness and bravery and our thoughts are with his family and the Gila River Police Department during this time of grief.”

If you would like to make a donation in Briese’s honor, you can do so through the 100 Club of Arizona at 100club.org.

As for the shooting investigation, Gila River Police told us that another officer was shot, amazingly survived, and was able to attend the memorial after being released from the hospital. However, of four others who were also shot, one, 23-year-old Alicen Apkaw, did not survive. The investigation is ongoing.

According to the Gila River Indian Community, Briese will be buried in Montana.

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