Gila River Police Department Honors Fallen Officers

The Gila River Police Department (GRPD) honored three fallen police officers: Officer recruit Armando Reyes, Jr., Sgt. Kevin Lewis, and Officer Joshua Briese, by memorializing their service during a candlelight vigil at the police station in Sacaton on May 7. 

Officer Briese was responding to call at a dance in District 4 when gunfire erupted, and he was fatally shot last year. In 1993, Sgt. Lewis was also responding to a call when his cruiser was swept away during heavy flooding in District 1. In 2007, Office recruit Reyes suffered cardiac arrest while he was in the police academy.

The Gila River Fire Department (GRFD) raised the U.S. flag on the ladder of the fire engine during the memorial event while a three-motorcycle unit procession honored the fallen officers. Former lieutenant governor Robert Stone provided the invocation in O’otham while GRPD Lt. Celestina Perez commanded the color guard.

GRPD Chief of Police Jesse Crabtree delivered the memoriam remarks. “Let’s honor Sergeant Lewis, Officer Recruit Reyes and Officer Briese not just through ceremony but through continued commitment to serve justice and serve each other. Their memories live in us as we honor our warriors,” said Chief Crabtree. 

GRPD officers laid wreaths for the three fallen officers and Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis delivered a speech on behalf of the Community, “As the Governor of the Gila River Indian Community, I see and I feel, almost a year ago we loss Officer Briese. We also loss a Community member, Alicen Apkaw. We receive tremendous support for our collective loss.” 

He added, “Our collective loss sent a ripple effect throughout the Community, deep within the rank of the Gila River Police Department. And we received so much support and love from across Arizona, across the law enforcement agencies and families and across the United States.” 

With the candles lit, Pastor Jay Juan of the Tohono O’odham Nation, delivered a speech and a prayer for the fallen officers. Their end of watch was memorialized with a last call on police radio. 

“I can’t think of a better way to honor these fallen heroes. Rightfully so, Chief Crabtree called the fallen officers, warriors,” said Pastor Juan.

GRPD’s Public Information Officer Teaya Enos delivered the closing remarks, “As we come to a closure of ceremony, let us carry on the legacy of the fallen officers that we just honored, Sergeant Lewis, Officer Recruit Reyes and Officer Briese.”

  Stone and his group sang traditional songs for the fallen officers. 

Enos said, “Their stories are not only etched into the stone but also woven into the fabric of this department and the heart of the Gila River Indian Community.”