Glendale officer dies after shooting at apartment complex
by Amy B Wang - Oct. 29, 2011 09:03 AM
The Arizona Republic
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Officer Brad Jones, 27, passed away from his injuries at about 1 a.m. Saturday, surrounded by friends, family and other officers, said a tearful Glendale Police Chief Steven Conrad.
Jones had been with Glendale police for about four years and is survived by his wife and two young children, Conrad said.
"He was a devoted husband and father, and I would ask you all to keep them in your prayers," he said.
Jones was shot Friday at an apartment complex near 75th and Glendale avenues while accompanying a probation officer to a meeting with a convict. It was during this meeting that the probationer pulled out a gun and began firing, striking the police officer at least once before fleeing in his vehicle, said Brent Coombs, a Glendale police spokesman.
Coombs said the officer managed to call for help about 8:30 p.m. and was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
Meanwhile, responding officers pursued the suspect in the stolen police car, which crashed in the 8100 block of West Glendale Avenue.
Coombs said the suspect attempted to run away but received life-threatening injuries to his upper body in an exchange of gunfire with police.
The suspect, 20-year-old Ryan Heisler, remains in critical condition at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center.
It is not uncommon for Glendale police to accompany probation officers to such meetings, Coombs said. He did not know what Heisler was on probation for, nor could he give details on Jones' injuries, pending investigation.
Detectives are still investigating the scene, and Glendale Avenue is expected to be closed from 75th to 83rd avenues until at least 9 p.m. Saturday, police said
Dead Glendale Cop Brad Jones