Cochise County sheriff mourns Apache Junction officer, urges peaceful protest and warns of consequences for lawbreaking

Sheriff Mark Dannels of the Cochise County Sheriff's Office said an Apache Junction police officer who was shot a little over a week earlier died in the days before the broadcast and extended condolences to the officer’s family and colleagues.

Dannels said the region’s law enforcement agencies “share a common bond” and that his “heart goes out to his family, to that officer, officer Fazio, and all those who wear a badge.” He urged anyone planning demonstrations to keep them peaceful and legal and warned that breaking the law would carry consequences: “Go out, protest, make your message heard. But if you break the law, there will be consequences to that.”

The sheriff linked local concerns about demonstrations to unrest in large cities, saying violent tactics such as vandalism, arson and looting are unacceptable and harm communities. He framed his remarks as an appeal for lawful civic expression and public safety rather than political comment.

The broadcast also noted a planned protest on Bridal Boulevard in front of the Veterans Memorial; Dannels encouraged lawful protest and said law enforcement would respond to criminal behavior. No formal actions, arrests or additional operational details were described on the show.

Speakers on the program placed the shooting and its aftermath in the context of broader public-safety challenges faced by law enforcement, but the segment did not report specific details about the Apache Junction officer’s identity beyond the surname used on-air, nor did it provide an incident report or investigation status.

Local residents seeking updates were not given a police-case number or investigative contact on-air; listeners were told only that the incident had occurred and that law enforcement agencies were grieving and coordinating.