David Van Glasser
Police Officer

David Van Glasser

Phoenix Police Dept. — Phoenix, AZ
Felonious
End of Watch May 19, 2016
Age 34
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
The Vigil Panel 165 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer David Glasser succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained the previous day after responding to a burglary in progress at a home near the intersection of 51st Avenue and Baseline Road.

The homeowner had called 911 to report that his son was stealing items from the home. As officers arrived on the scene they encountered the son sitting in a van in the driveway. The subject immediately opened fire on the officers, striking Officer Glasser. Other officers returned fire and killed the subject.

Officer Glasser was transported to a local hospital where he remained in critical condition until succumbing to his wounds the following day.

Officer Glasser had served with the Phoenix Police Department for 12 years and was assigned to the Neighborhood Enforcement Team.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-137DBA79
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Glasser gave the Phoenix Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Phoenix community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Glasser.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Phoenix, AZ
Platform Identity phoepd.maricopa.az.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 19, 2016
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Age 34
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

Police Officer David Van Glasser is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Phoenix Police Dept., 28 of 47 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.6% of this agency's fallen.

Phoenix Police Dept.
28
of 47 officers
59.6% Felonious
AZ — Statewide
204
of 330 officers
61.8% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Van Glasser's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How David Van Glasser Compares

Age at End of Watch
34
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
12
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Van Glasser is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Van Glasser was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location