'Officer Coolidge put up a valiant fight': Phoenix officer shot in the line of duty dies

And we're starting with breaking news. One of the Phoenix police officers who were shot in the line of duty earlier this week has died. I'm Curtis and I'm cut the divine the heartbreaking update just coming into our newsroom just a few minutes ago. The shooting happening three days ago in downtown Phoenix, the names of the fallen officer and the other officer who were shot just released today. 12 news journalists, Jade Cunningham is joining us now with the very latest jade. Yeah, good evening. I spoke with the president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association about these two officers who he describes as heroes, Zay Coolidge and Matthew Haney are the two officers, Phoenix police say were shot while responding to a call near 16th Street in mcdowell road. Tuesday. These police officers acted heroically to intervene. Darryl crippling is the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association president. He says the bravery these two men displayed is honorable. They have a heart for service and they want to serve their community to the best of their ability and that's what they were doing that night last Tuesday around 6:30 p.m. Coolidge and Haney responded, is someone trying to break into a vehicle when they arrived. Phoenix. Police say the suspect 41 year old Saul Ball ran and shot the two officers. Officer Coolidge. His family is devastated. I met his new wife and his young infant daughter and his mother at the hospital and they are devastated. Crippling also says he spoke with officer Haney who's now recovering at home. He applauds the officer's quick thinking. This is a man who was responding to the call off after the suspect with his partner was shot, returned fire and then realized his partner was gravely injured. And without a second thought, he, he leapt into action and started treating his partner. He was the first one to start that, that medical treatment and he saved that man's life or at least gave him an opportunity to see his family or his family to see him again. But there is frustration over how something like this could happen. You know, this is someone who has a very long rap sheet and had this person been in prison like he should have been. We would not be having this conversation today and these officers would be, you know, going about their day with their families. He says what happened is a reminder of just how dangerous the job can be and how brave officers are. These police officers. The ones that serve your community are husbands and wives and dads and moms and, and brothers and sisters, sons and daughters these are human beings just like you just like everyone else. The only difference is, is the job we do. Well, there is a big barbecue fundraiser happening this Tuesday at 11 a.m. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. It is being held at Phoenix Law Enforcement Association headquarters. All money raised will help Coolidge's family.

Share your thoughts