Apache Junction honors fallen Officer Facio at funeral

Officer Gabriel Facio died on June 8 after being shot on June 2. His funeral was held on Monday and included an emotional moment from his daughter.

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz — The Apache Junction community gathered to mourn Officer Gabriel Facio, who died in the line of duty, at his funeral Monday morning.

Officer Facio died last Sunday, six days after he was shot in the face while responding to a call about a man brandishing a weapon near Ironwood Drive and Elliot Road.    

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Officers stopped the suspect, who was identified as 37-year-old Roger Nunez, near Radiance Avenue. He got out of the car with a gun, which police said was an untraceable ghost gun. Shots were fired by both Nunez and officers. Both Nunez and Facio were hit and injured. Facio later died from his injuries.   

Facio’s funeral was held at Central Christian Church at 10 a.m. on Monday in the East Valley.

Inside the church’s worship center, friends, family, fellow officers, and community members remembered Facio as a courageous and selfless man—a protector in every sense of the word.

“It teared me up. It does now too,” said Bruce Peterson, standing outside the church with his family as a procession of uniformed law enforcement officers escorted Facio’s flag-draped casket. “It’s very emotional to see this kind of support.”

Facio, 46, was remembered not just as a police officer, but as a devoted father, a proud immigrant from Mexico, and the beating heart of his department. His daughter, Anna, read a heartfelt letter to her late father during the service.

“Forty-six years with you were too short,” she said tearfully. “But every good moment spent with you was the most beautiful moment a girl could ever ask for.”

Through her words, she painted a picture of a father who was her first example of love and strength.

“I want you to keep showing up in every achievement and milestone in our lives, even though you won’t be here physically,” Anna said. “Know that I will always be your baby girl.”

Facio joined the Apache Junction Police Department in 2021, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He had worked hard to become a U.S. citizen, always with the goal of serving in law enforcement. Police Chief Michael Pooley described Facio as someone whose quiet leadership and consistent presence made him a cornerstone of the department.

“He did that so his children could look at him with pride and honor, to let them know how proud they were of their dad,” said Chief Pooley. “Well, Gabriel, you did it. Your kids are proud of you. I’ve continued to hear it time and time again this week.”

Colleagues recalled Facio’s small but significant gestures—bringing free burritos to the station every week, stepping up to cover shifts, and always finding a way to lighten the mood.

“God places certain people in our lives for a reason,” a fellow officer said. “Facio was certainly a blessing to me, and I will miss him deeply.”

The service concluded with a moving final tribute. As the casket was wheeled out, family members followed closely behind, flanked by saluting officers. A 21-gun salute rang out, followed by the playing of Taps. A final call by an Apache Junction Police dispatcher came over the police radio: “Officer Facio, thank you for your service. You will be greatly missed, sir. Rest in peace. We got it from here.”

“For now, rest easy and know you are a hero to all of us,” Anna said. “I love you, dad.”

Facio leaves behind a wife and two children. His funeral was open to the public per his family’s request. 

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