PHOENIX — For as long as Erene Briese can remember, her son, Joshua Briese, wanted to work in law enforcement, just like his dad.
“Just wanted to be like his dad," Erene Briese said.
Erene Briese said her son inherited his father's best qualities, including his pride and passion to serve others.
“I think that Josh just gravitated to that, that was an excitement for him," Erene Briese said.
Joshua Briese finally became an officer with the Gila River Police Department last year.
In choosing the same path in life as his father, Erene Briese hoped her son's life wouldn't end the same way.
His dad, David Briese was a Yellowstone County Sheriff's Deputy in Billings, Montana. He was killed in the line of duty in 2006.
Nearly 18 years later, Josh suffered a similar fate.
"We were coming to peace in the aftermath of his death, to have to go through this again," Erene Briese said. "Even though Josh lost his dad at a young age, he knew the risks."
The rookie officer was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call in Santan on Saturday.
“The only thing I could wish as a mom is that he didn’t suffer and that somebody was there for him because I was not," Erene Briese said. “This is something that... I’ll never get over. It will always be a hole in my heart."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the shooting.
Alicen Apkaw, a 23-year-old woman, also died from injuries sustained in the shooting. Four other people were injured, including a second Gila River Police officer.
The FBI said two people are in custody while receiving medical treatment.
Erene Briese told 12News she wants her son's legacy to live on so the world will always remember his sacrifice.
“It’s the ultimate sacrifice, the price that you pay in the field that you go in," Erene Briese said. "Josh wanted to make his dad proud.”
His brothers in blue will salute him for a final time in Arizona before he is taken home to his final resting place beside his father.
A public memorial service will be hosted at Sun Valley Community Church in Gilbert on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Gila River Police Department said details about the procession route will be announced later this week.