PHOENIX — From an Apache Junction officer dying in the line of duty to Mesa naming a new police chief, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from June 6-8.
Apache Junction officer shot in line of duty pronounced dead
An Apache Junction officer who was injured in the line of duty last week died on Sunday afternoon.
Officer Gabriel Facio died after he was shot in the face while responding to a call on Monday, according to an Apache Junction Police Department Facebook post.
He was a husband and father of two children.
“It is with a broken heart I inform you of the passing of Officer Gabriel Facio today at noon. On behalf of the men and women of the Apache Junction Police Department, we appreciate the support and outpouring of love from the community,” Apache PD Chief Michael Pooley said in the statement.
Salmonella outbreak tied to eggs sickens dozens across Arizona, 6 other states
A salmonella outbreak linked to a large egg recall has made dozens of people sick in seven states in the West and Midwest, federal health officials said Saturday.
The recall covers Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Wyoming. A list of brands and plant codes or Julian dates can be found on the FDA and CDC websites.
At least 79 people in seven states have gotten a strain of salmonella that was linked to the eggs, and 21 people have been hospitalized, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Bird flu detected in poultry at Maricopa County farm in 4th Arizona case in 2025
A fourth poultry farm in Maricopa County tested positive for bird flu, officials announced Friday afternoon.
The name of the facility was not released, and the detection was caught during routine testing, according to an Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) release.
Samples from the location were submitted to the Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Lab on Wednesday and sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory for testing.
The risk to the public remains low, according to AZDA. People who were in close contact with the birds are the most at risk.
Arizona Congresswoman says wrongfully deported man deserves his fair day in court
Arizona Democratic U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari released a statement on Friday after the return of a man who was wrongly deported earlier this year.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, was detained and deported from the U.S. to a Salvadorean prison back in March by the Trump administration.
“Because of the pressure my colleagues and I – and Americans around the country – put on President Trump, Kilmar is back on U.S. soil,” Ansari said in the statement. “Everyone deserves their fair day in court. Now, Mr. Abrego Garcia can have his.”
City of Mesa names Dan Butler as new police chief
The city of Mesa has named Executive Assistant Dan Butler as the new police chief, according to a Friday news release.
Butler will replace former police chief Ken Cost, who is set to retire on June 30 after 30 years in law enforcement.
“I am deeply honored by this appointment and the trust placed in me by city manager Scott Butler and our community. Having served alongside this department’s exceptional men and women for 25 years, I understand the dedication and professionalism that makes Mesa Police (Department) special,” Butler said in the release.
The post Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from June 6-8 appeared first on KTAR.
