Cochise County Sheriff's Office - Mark J. Dannels Sheriff

A Phoenix police officer who was shot during a gun battle with a burglary suspect Yesterday has died.

According to Phoenix news outlets who attended a media briefing today Chief Joe Yahner said that the family members of Officer David Glasser have said their final goodbyes and the organ donation process was underway.

"Our hearts and prayers are with the Glasser family," Yahner said.

"After the organ donation process is complete, Officer Glasser will be transported to the medical examiner's office," Yahner added. "Tragically, we will begin planning a funeral."

"Dave served his community and he continues to serve right now as he is donating his organs for the betterment of people he doesn't even know," Yahner said. "We lost a hero, we lost an outstanding member of our community, a father and a great police officer."

Yahner called Glasser an inspiration to his family, co-workers and the community. He said the department is struggling with the loss and asked for the community's support.

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said today,"we will never forget his service, we will never forget him or the family he leaves behind."

"We are deeply and eternally indebted to Officer Glasser for his service and sacrifice on our behalf," Gov. Doug Ducey said in a statement. "It's times like this that we must remember that, for our men and women in blue, no call is routine. We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who serve under the badge."

Wednesday's shootout near 51st Avenue and Baseline Road started after a man called 911 saying his son had stolen his guns. Officers responded to the burglary-in-progress call and made contact with the suspect in his vehicle, Sgt. Vincent Lewis said. That's when the suspect opened fire at the officers.

Yahner said as many as six officers returned fire, killing the suspect.  Police have not identified the burglary suspect.

This is the 13th officer-involved shooting in the Valley in 2016. There were an additional 10 officer-involved shootings outside of the Valley this year.

Sheriff Mark Dannels said, "it is not the color of the uniform or the name on the badge that people look for in their time of need. We are all one fraternal family and we have just lost a son. Please keep Officer Glasser's wife and children in your thoughts and prayers as well as his Phoenix Police Department family who have all suffered such a great loss."  Please stay safe out there!

Families of Homicide Victims and Missing Persons is a group of people that get together for their annual meeting every year.  Around 16,238 Americans are murdered every year.  This includes police officers, seniors, parents, young man and women, and many are small children.  My granddaughters was 5 years old when she was murdered. 

I am honored that I was invited to speak to this group of concerned
Americans. My wife, Leticia Sada Berrelez and I were there. I have been asked to talk about hope. Is there any hope? I believe there is, I believe that there is hope for people to stop murdering people. What ever happen to self control? Many Americans have to stop acting on their anger and control it instead. Since these people know they have out of control anger they have to be responsible for themselves and get the help they need. Nobody else can do it for them. 

There is hope for families of homicide victims but I understand that during times of great loss it seems like there is no hope. The loss is forever and we just have to believe and hope that healing will come.  

I went in for a medical examination. They checked me for a cancerous tumor or cancer in my bones. I am not in the best of my health and I was ready for any results good or bad. All was well, it was not cancer. When there is nothing else there is always hope.