Phoenix Police Officer Shot In Laveen Dies

Published: Thursday, May 19, 2016 - 11:14am
Updated: Thursday, May 19, 2016 - 4:16pm
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(Photo courtesy of Phoenix Police Department)
Officer David Glasser

A Phoenix police officer who was shot in Laveen on Wednesday has died, officials said Thursday morning.

Officer David Glasser was with the Phoenix Police Department for 12 years and leaves behind a wife and two small children.

Police said the incident occurred Wednesday afternoon after a Laveen homeowner called to say his son was stealing guns from him. Officers responded and found the suspect in a vehicle and shots were exchanged.

"We responded to a radio call out at 7700 S. 48th Avenue on a burglary in progress. When our officers arrived, multiple officers arrived, we encountered a subject who began firing at us and struck one of our officers," said Phoenix police Chief Joe Yahner. He said officers did not know the suspect was in a vehicle parked in the driveway.

"As officer Dave Glasser and his partner positioned their police Tahoe behind the suspect vehicle, and exited their vehicle, the suspect began shooting, striking officer Glasser," Yahner said. Officers then returned fire. The suspect, whose name and age have not been released, was declared dead at the scene Wednesday.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton called the death Thursday of Glasser a "dark day for the city of Phoenix," and Yahner said Glasser's memory and service "will be honored from this day forward."

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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