Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Arizona Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: In custody
Police Officer Joshua Briese was shot and killed while responding to a disturbance call at 2:00 a.m. at a home in Santan, District 4 of the Gila River Indian Community.
When Officer Briese and his training partner arrived on the scene, they were met with gunfire. Both officers were transported to a local hospital, where Officer Briese succumbed to his wounds. The other officer was seriously wounded.
Four other people from the large crowd were struck by gunfire, including one who died.
A man and a juvenile were arrested.
Officer Briese's father, Deputy Sheriff David Leroy Briese, Jr. of Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, Montana, died in the line of duty on November 3, 2006.
Officer Briese had served with the Gila River Police Department for less than one year and was still completing field training.
Briese was an amazing human. Unbelievable work ethic and always had a positive attitude no matter what. I still have his goofy laugh stuck in my head.
He had been living on his own since he was 16, working and going to high school. He continued that work ethic through the remaining years of his life and brought it to the Academy.
He was and is an amazing friend. I know he'll be up there, with his dad, watching over us. He is my guardian Angel.
Yesterday, a group of us went to the Arizona Peace Officer Memorial to reminisce on the effect Briese had on all of our lives.
Briese went out, guns blazing, doing what he loved.
Briese, I know your father is proud of you and im sure is happy to have you home. Your watch is over now brother, rest easy, we've got it from here.
Officer Joshua Briese EOW: 06/01/2024
CPL Anthony Stretton Eloy Police Department June 2nd, 2025
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GIR-TR-4D959B3E- Stewardship
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- 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 Briese served with the Gila River Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Sacaton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Briese.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Joshua Briese 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joshua Briese's cause is highlighted.
How Joshua Briese Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joshua Briese is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joshua Briese was killed by gun; unknown type.