July 2024. Blues Vol 40 No.7

AROUND THE COUNTRY GILA

AROUND THE COUNTRY GILA RIVER TRIBAL POLICE Police Officer Joshua Briese was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call at Gila River Indian Community. Lorenzino Estrada, Rey Covarrubias Jr., USA TODAY A police officer responding to a disturbance at a home early Saturday and a woman are both dead in Santan, District 4, of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, according to local authorities. Joshua Briese, who had been with the police department for less than a year, and another officer responded to a disturbance call involving a large crowd, according to the Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network. Multiple gunshots were fired and both officers were struck, the Gila River Police Department wrote in a Facebook post. Both officers were taken to the hospital. Briese died from his injuries, while the other officer, who has not been identified, was in serious but stable condition, according to police. Four other people were struck by gunfire. The woman who died was identified as 23-yearold Alicen Apkaw, Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the Gila River Indian Community, said. He did not provide details about her 34 The Blues - July ‘24 time of death. The three others who were shot were being treated at area hospitals. Two suspects were taken into custody Sunday by the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office and the Gila River Police Department. Officials identified them as a man and a teen boy but did not release their names. They said both individuals were receiving medical care for the injuries they received from the shooting. “I know I speak for our entire Community when I say that we grieve for our fallen and injured police officers and every Community member touched by such tragic violence,” Lewis said. “Nothing cuts deeper than a life cut short. We will pray for our officers and their families, and for every Community member, every loved one, and every family impacted by what happened this morning.” Briese was the son of former Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Officer David Briese, who also died in the line of duty. David Briese was killed in November 2006 in an automobile accident on Interstate 90 in Billings, Montana, while responding to a backup call OFFICER JOSHUA BRIESE for an officer who was dealing with a combative impaired driver, according to the Sheriff’s Office. County Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding Joshua Briese’s death: “YCSO is heart broken and in disbelief upon receiving word this morning of the Line of Duty Death of Gila River Arizona Police Officer Josh Briese, Joshie as many of us called him,” the statement said. “All we can say is God Speed and rest easy. Knowing Dave & Josh are together again, both left this world serving their community and doing what they loved. RIP.”

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