Authorities have identified the officer who died after a shooting in southwest Phoenix as Officer David Glasser.
Glasser, 35, had been with the Phoenix Police Department for 12 years. He worked in the Maryvale precinct and served in the unit’s Neighborhood Enforcement Team, which responds to specific issues within a neighborhood. Chief Joseph Yahner said members of the team are called for a wide variety of issues, from plain clothes investigations to big events.
TONIGHT: #ABC15 will hold a phone bank benefiting @100ClubAZ from 4-7. Please keep Glasser family & Phoenix Police in your thoughts.
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) May 19, 2016
Glasser was shot responding to a burglary in progress call near 51st Avenue and Baseline Road around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Police say the suspect started shooting from a van when officers arrived. Police returned fire, killing the suspect.
Glasser was rushed to the hospital in extremely critical condition. A Phoenix police helicopter brought some of his family members to the hospital and fellow officers were seen at the hospital throughout the night and on Thursday morning.
Phoenix Police said Thursday morning that Glasser had succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
Police Chief Joseph Yahner described Glasser as a "good man".
"He embodied what a Phoenix police officer is," said Yahner. "He is connected to his community. He worked hard. He was professional. He was very good at his job."
"For 12 years, Officer Glasser served our citly with honor, dedication, and with distinction," said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. "We now owe him a debt that can never be repaid."
Growing up, Glasser was a standout as a student athlete at Moon Valley High School. He wore #40 and played forward on the basketball team.
"He just wanted to be better and wanted to work harder," remembered former coach John Boie.
He is survived by his wife and two young children.
Sources have identified the suspect who shot Glasser as 19-year-old Israel Santos-Banos. Friends tell ABC15 he was troubled. Police have not yet confirmed the suspect's name.
On Thursday night, you helped us raise $54,638 to benefit the 100 Club of Arizona and Officer Glasser's family.
You can still donate by visiting www.100club.org.
Several fundraising events have been set up:
- Phoenix police have established a donation account to benefit the Glasser family at National Bank of Arizona. The account number is 579-367-2444. All donations will be given directly to the Glasser family, said police.
- The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association will hold a barbecue fundraiser on Tuesday, May 24, to benefit Officer Glasser's family. The public is invited to attend the event from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the parking garage structure next to the PLEA office at 1102 W. Adams Street in Phoenix. PLEA is also looking for volunteers and food donations for the event.
- On Saturday, May 21, a benefit car wash for Officer Glasser will be held at the Cabela's parking lot at 9380 W. Glendale Avenue from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., all proceeds will benefit the fallen officer's family.
