Officer Gilbert Richard Chavez

Officer Gilbert Richard Chavez | Phoenix Police Department, Arizona Officer Gilbert Richard Chavez | Phoenix Police Department, ArizonaOfficer Gilbert Richard Chavez | Phoenix Police Department, Arizona
Phoenix Police Department, Arizona
Officer Gilbert Richard Chavez | Phoenix Police Department, Arizona Officer Gilbert Richard Chavez | Phoenix Police Department, ArizonaOfficer Gilbert Richard Chavez | Phoenix Police Department, Arizona
Officer Gilbert Richard Chavez

Phoenix Police Department, Arizona

End of Watch Monday, June 16, 1975

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Gilbert Richard Chavez

Officer Gilbert Chavez was shot and killed by a juvenile during a burglary of a Phoenix radiator business.

Officer Chavez and his partner had entered the business after dispatchers received an anonymous tip that a burglary was in progress. The officer located one of two suspects and a struggle ensued. Officer Chavez was shot near the heart and critically wounded but managed to radio for help before dying.

The offender served 25 years, was released, re-offended and is serving 56 years for kidnapping.

Officer Chavez had served with the agency for one year. He was survived by his wife.

Bio

  • Age 22
  • Tour 1 year
  • Badge 2684

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Sentenced to 25 years

burglary in progress, juvenile offender

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About Gilbert, the last words we spoke was the Friday before this incident. He thanked my partner (the late Phoenix Police Reserve Sergeant Carl Naegle) and me for being his back up, the second of that Friday shift. He was one of a few officers who did not mind Reserves being on the street. That same partner and I had lamented often that we wished we had been on the street that Monday night. It should be mentioned that at the time, there were no portable radios. Gilbert had to make it back to his patrol car, mortally wounded, to put out his 998, an officer involved shooting, before he passed away.

Candy (Reid) Cruse, PPR Lt. (25 years)
Phoenix Police Reserves

August 4, 2020

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