A Phoenix police officer died Friday, days after he was shot while trying to stop a suspect trying to break in to a car.
Officer Zane Coolidge was critically wounded Tuesday and rushed to the hospital, where he later died, The Associated Press reports. He had been with the department for five years.
"The injuries he sustained after the cowardly acts of another were just too much for him to overcome," interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan said in a statement. "Officer Coolidge’s legacy will forever be a part of this Department."
Coolidge and another officer, Matthew Haney, were responding to a call concerning a car break-in at around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Arizona Republic. When they reached the scene, they confronted a suspect—identified as Saul Bal, 41—who fled.
During the chase, Bal began shooting, and Coolidge and Haney were both struck. While Coolidge was critically injured, Haney escaped serious injury thanks to his ballistic vest. He was released from the hospital Wednesday.
Both officers were able to return fire despite being struck, but Bal was able to escape. He was finally taken into custody following a manhunt that lasted over three hours.
Bal faces multiple charges, including second- and third-degree murder counts. He is being held on a $2 million bond.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego shared her condolences for the officer's family shortly after his death was announced.
“I am devastated by the tragic loss of Officer Zane Coolidge, who lost his life while keeping the rest of us safe from harm," Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement. "I know that our entire community is mourning this loss, and on behalf of the City, I extend my deepest condolences to Officer Coolidge’s family and friends, and his brothers and sisters in the Phoenix Police Department. We will forever honor and remember his bravery and selfless service to our community."
