Family of wounded MCSO deputy Ruben Garcia gives message of hope

Family of wounded deputy gives message of hope


Photographer: KNXV
Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Advertisement

Posted: 01/09/2013

PEORIA, AZ - A deputy's fight to survive is now stretching into the 48th hour. Deputy Ruben Garcia is in critical condition, but the latest word from his loved ones is one of hope.

The deputy was shot in Peoria early Tuesday morning.

The deputy's brother, Alifonzo Garcia, told ABC15 the family has been deeply touched by the public's concern as well as the support of law enforcement.

They not only wanted to say thank you, but also pass along their optimism for his recovery.

For 29 years, Garcia has chosen to serve and protect Maricopa County. But Tuesday, his family was forced to learn the dangerous reality of his bravery.

“We never really took in mind the risk my brother has gone to and all of our fellow officers that work with him,” Alifonzo said.

"When you get a phone call that early, you expect the worst," Alifonzo said.

Garcia is still fighting for his life in critical, but stable condition.

But, a successful surgery has given his family something to hold onto, hope and the reminder of just how precious life can be.

“My brother is progressing in a favorable way and we're extremely pleased with the progress he's showing," Alifonzo said.

Copyright 2013 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  • Comments
  • Your Region News

Click on the region names in the map below to see news from that region.

West Valley Phoenix Metro Southeast Valley Northeast Valley Northern Arizona Central/Southern AZ
advertisement

RIGHT NOW: Top Stories


  1. NOW: Arias jury back in deliberations

    NOW: Arias jury back in deliberations

    Jurors in Jodi Arias' trial resumed deliberations Thursday, a day after they reported they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict on whether she should be sentenced to life in prison or death and a judge instructed them to keep trying.

    • AZ man gets 340 years for sex crimes

      AZ man gets 340 years for sex crimes

      David Greenberg was sentenced Wednesday in Coconino County Superior Court to 17 years in prison on each of 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

      • Teen pleads not guilty to bomb charge

        Teen pleads not guilty to bomb charge

        A Tempe 18-year-old accused of having an improvised explosive device in his bedroom in his family's home has pleaded not guilty.

        • PD: Teen arrested for siblings death

          PD: Teen arrested for siblings death

          A teenager was arrested Thursday in the deaths of his two younger brothers, ages 4 and 10, at the family home in a Utah subdivision of new homes and tidy lawns, police said.

          • 'Hate map' tracks derogatory tweets

            'Hate map' tracks derogatory tweets

            A group of researchers has developed a map that shows how discriminatory a given county is based on the number of insulting tweets sent from that area.

            • McDonald's gives Ramsey FREE food

              McDonald's gives Ramsey FREE food

              Charles Ramsey, who helped rescue the three Cleveland women held captive by Ariel Castro, will get free McDonald's from his local fast food favorite for the next year, a McDonald's spokeswoman said.