Bradley Ryan Jones, a 26-year-old male police officer, was shot and killed on Saturday, October 29, 2011. The events leading to his death began when he was assisting a probation officer with a meeting involving a parolee at an apartment complex near North 75th and West Glendale Avenues. Upon his arrival in the parking lot, Officer Jones made contact with the suspect.
Suddenly, the man produced a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Jones.
The assailant then stole the officer's patrol car and fled the scene. Despite his injuries, Officer Jones was able to radio for help and alert fellow officers about the shooting. A pursuit ensued, which ended when the suspect crashed the stolen vehicle on West Glendale Avenue. As he tried to flee on foot, he exchanged gunfire with the pursuing officers and was critically wounded. Officer Jones was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 1:00 a.m., surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues.
The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Ryan Heisler, was hospitalized for several weeks due to the injuries he sustained. Upon his release, he was charged with capital murder. However, in a subsequent court ruling in 2011, Heisler was given an absolute discharge. This legal decision acknowledged that a murder had been committed by the defendant but deemed any punishment to be inappropriate, and the case was subsequently closed. Officer Jones, a four-year veteran of the Glendale Police Department, was survived by his wife and two young children.
