GILBERT, Ariz. — On Saturday morning hundreds of law enforcement officers and members of the community paid their respects to fallen Gila River police officer Joshua Briese, the 23-year-old officer who was killed in the line of duty last weekend.
Those who knew him best say he was a warrior, who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
It was a final farewell for Officer Briese, starting with a procession at the Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery in Chandler, and ending at Sun Valley Community Church in Gilbert for a memorial service.
“We come before you today to celebrate the life of Joshua Briese,” Pastor Brett Humphrey of Sun Valley Community Church-South Gilbert said. “…to remember the impact on the people that he met throughout his life.”
“Joshua Briese was an extraordinary man,” he said.
Emotions were running high as Pastor Humphrey read words from Briese’s partner aloud.
“Josh would always try to find the good in people and he was very respectful,” said Humphrey. “…his laugh was contagious, and he would light up a room as soon as he walked in.”
“Joshua was special, a young man with unimaginable strength, with character beyond question,” Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis said. “…and with a spirit of service that is all too rare today.”
“Never in my life did I think that the Gila River Police Department or the Gila River Indian Community would experience such a loss,” said Chief Jesse Crabtree of the Gila River Police Department.
Briese was shot and killed after responding to an out-of-control party in Santan on the Gila River Indian Community on June 1. He had been with the department for less than a year.
“It is a day that will forever be etched in our memories for the rest of our lives,” said Gila River Police Department Chief Jesse Crabtree.
Briese, who was born in Billings, Montana, graduated from West High School in 2020. He was known as someone who was very protecting and giving. He loved helping children in special needs classrooms and volunteered for the Special Olympics. Briese enjoyed weightlifting, working out and running, and spent time cycling Beartooth Pass in Montana and hiking in Montana and Arizona.
Briese was the son of Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff David Briese, who also died in the line of duty. His father died in a car crash while responding to a scene in November 2006 in Montana.
“Josh, my friend, my hero,” said Capt. Kent O’Donnell of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office. “You’re going to be missed.”
O’Donnell knew Briese's dad.
“Watching Josh grow up after his dad’s death, he wanted to be a police officer, that was the one thing he was going to do,” said O’Donnell. “He had it set in his mind.”
“Joshua spent the next 18 years of his life working every day, every day to make his father proud,” said Gov. Lewis. “Officer Briese succeeded with everything he did.”
Those closest to Briese say he was friendly and caring, someone who was always happy and had a great sense of humor. He was known for genuinely caring for everyone around him. Protecting people and being fair was in his blood.
Loved ones will remember Briese as someone who was selfless, determined, humble and served others.
“He has left a lasting impression as he gained his wings to watch us from above,” said Crabtree.
“Rest easy, we have “The Watch,” said O’Donnell.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of Breise. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gov. Hobbs wrote, “Officer Briese will be remembered for his selflessness and bravery, and our thoughts are with his family and the Gila River Police Department during this time of mourning."
If you’d like to make a donation in honor of Briese, you can do so through the 100 Club of Arizona by going to 100club.org.
As for the shooting investigation, Gila River police tell us another officer who was shot, amazingly survived and was able to attend the memorial after being released from the hospital. However, out of four others who were also hit by gunfire, one of them, 23-year-old Alicen Apkaw, did not survive. The investigation is ongoing.
Briese will be laid to rest in Montana, according to the Gila River Indian Community.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.