Arizona Police Association Calls for Public Support After Violent 48-Hour Period
News Source: Arizona Police Association
PHOENIX, AZ — The Arizona Police Association is sounding the alarm following an extraordinary and violent 48-hour period that has deeply impacted Arizona’s law enforcement community. Since Wednesday, officers across the state have been involved in four separate shooting incidents, leaving multiple officers injured and claiming the lives of two Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers.
During this span, officers faced repeated and sustained threats to their lives, including:
- Targeted Gunfire: Officers came under fire in four separate encounters, one of which involved a two-hour standoff with a suspect armed with a high-powered rifle.
- Officer Injuries: One officer suffered a gunshot wound, while two others were injured by shrapnel. In a separate incident, an officer and a suspect were struck by a vehicle during a foot pursuit.
- Line-of-Duty Deaths: Two DPS troopers were killed when their helicopter crashed while providing aerial support to officers engaged on the ground.
“The events of the last two days are a stark and painful reminder of the danger our men and women face every time they put on the uniform,” said Darrell Kriplean, APA President. “Our officers will not be deterred from protecting the public, but the level of hostility they are facing right now is unacceptable and cannot continue.”
A Call to the Public
This level of violence cannot become the norm. The Arizona Police Association is calling on community leaders, elected officials, and the public to clearly and unequivocally reject violence against law enforcement and to support those who are putting their lives on the line every day. Silence and inaction only embolden further attacks.
Support for the Fallen and Injured
The Arizona Police Association stands firmly with the officers who were injured, the families of the fallen troopers, and every law enforcement professional affected by these events. We ask the public to keep these officers and their families in your thoughts during this difficult time and to recognize the real and growing risks faced by those who serve our communities.
About the Arizona Police Association
The Arizona Police Association is the state’s largest law enforcement umbrella organization, representing thousands of rank-and-file officers across Arizona. APA is committed to protecting the safety, rights, and welfare of those who dedicate their lives to public service.
