An El Paso native who was killed in the line of duty while working as a police officer in Arizona will be laid to rest.
Funeral services for Gabriel Facio will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, at Cielo Vista Church, located at 3585 Lee Trevino Drive, according to the El Paso Police Department.
“We honor Officer Gabriel Facio #409 of Apache Junction PD — an El Paso native who served on AJPD for 4 years. He was tragically shot in the line of duty and passed on June 8. Services will be held June 18 at 11AM at Cielo Vista Church. Rest easy, Officer Facio,” EPPD posted on its X account.
The Apache Junction police officer died after he was shot and hospitalized for nearly a week, police said.
Facio, 46, was shot after responding to reports of a driver, later identified as Roger Nunez, 37, brandishing a firearm on June 2. Police said officers engaged in a shootout with Nunez after confronting him, during which Facio and Nunez were struck by gunfire.
Facio was described as a proud member of law enforcement who had achieved his childhood dream of serving as a police officer, according to Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley.
“Officer Facio’s impact on this department and community will never be forgotten. His service, spirit, and sacrifice will remain part of our story forever,” Pooley wrote in a Facebook post.
Facio was honored with a procession on Monday, June 16, in Mesa, Arizona, before returning to his hometown of El Paso.
USA Today contributed to this story.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X; natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma Thompson on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Officer Gabriel Facio, El Paso native killed in line of duty, honored with funeral
Reporting by Natassia Paloma, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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