TEMPE, Ariz. - It was an "incredibly sad day" Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell said as he, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department Chief Greg Ruiz and other firefighters gathered Monday to remember Capt. Kyle Brayer.
Brayer died after being shot in the head in Old Town Scottsdale early Sunday morning. Hezron Parks, 21, has been charged with second-degree murder in his death.
Mayor Mitchell said there were so many words that could be used to describe what Brayer had accomplished for the department and the Tempe community, adding he would be "greatly missed."
"His dedication to his country as a marine is second to none, as a firefighter is second to none and his service to this community [is second to none]," Mitchell said.
Chief Ruiz echoed Mitchell's words saying Brayer had done so much in his 10 years with the department.
"In our profession, at the 10-year mark, to say that he was coming up on his third year as a captain is just unbelievable," Ruiz said.
Mitchell said Brayer's spirit of service would "never be forgotten."
"We've lost not only an unbelievable member of this department, but this community, this Valley, this country has lost a real hero," Ruiz said.
