PHOENIX — Family, friends and fellow officers are mourning the loss of a Phoenix police officer who died on Friday after being shot in the line of duty earlier this week.
Phoenix police officer Zane Coolidge was hospitalized for several days after he was shot while responding to a suspected vehicle break-in. Tragically, Coolidge did not survive his injuries.
“Please be there and help us grieve... as a department, we are grieving,” said Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan of the Phoenix Police Department.
In an emotional one-on-one interview with 12News, Sullivan talked about the passing of Coolidge, who was just 29 years old.
“He was an officer, but he was a father, a husband, a brother, a son, that’s not there anymore,” Sullivan said.
On Tuesday night, Coolidge, a five-year veteran of the department, was responding to an attempted car break-in near 16th Street and McDowell Road, when police say the suspect, 41-year-old Saul Bal, shot at Coolidge and Officer Matthew Haney.
“We call an incident where an officer is shot as a 999, and my phone went off and I picked it up and I saw those numbers that you never want to see,” said Sullivan.
Haney, who has been with the department for two years, but involved in law enforcement for nine years, was released from the hospital Wednesday.
While 12News was initially told he was saved by his vest, now Sullivan is sharing new information.
“(Haney) was shot, he has a bullet lodged in his body right now, so we don’t know if the vest actually played a part in deflecting the bullet or how exactly that occurred,” Sullivan said. "It's heartbreaking."
Coolidge died in the hospital on Friday, leaving behind a loving family including a wife and a five-month-old baby girl.
“He fought valiantly, and the injuries were just too severe, and we are going to continue to hurt,” he said. “It just really hammered home the reality of this work, the work that we all know.”
“We’re grieving… we’re hurting,” said Leif Myers, the Phoenix Police Commander at the Mountain View Precinct, where Coolidge had been assigned.
“The Mountain View Precinct is going through a range of emotions of healing,” said Myers. “Being there for Zane and his family, while continuing to do the good work that the men and women do there.”
Sullivan said Coolidge’s legacy will forever be a part of the department and while his family continues to deal with unimaginable grief the department will do everything they can to help his family through their darkest hours.
Sullivan pledged that Coolidge's family will always be a part of the Phoenix police family.
“Both officers in my eyes are heroes,” said Sullivan. “They put themselves in harm’s way… they didn’t hesitate.”
Despite this immense loss, Sullivan said his officers will continue to hold their heads up high and do their fallen colleague proud, by continuing to serve our community with the courage and integrity that represents the Phoenix Police Department.
“The community called on them and they did what they were trained to do,” he said.
Bal was taken into custody after the shooting and is currently in jail facing a list of charges, which include first-degree murder, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
On Tuesday, there will be a barbecue fundraiser for Coolidge, Haney and their families.
It will begin at 11 a.m. and run until 9 p.m. at the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association Headquarters, which are located at 1102 W Adams Street in Phoenix.
PLEA has also set up a page for the community to donate to the officers, which can be found by clicking here.
The Phoenix Police Foundation has also set up a page where people can donate, which can be found by clicking here.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.