PHX Reporter

The Phoenix Police Department reported recently that a female officer was shot multiple times while on duty in the area of 39th Avenue and Baseline Road.

According to a report last week by Arizona Republic, two people were taken into custody shortly after the shooting, but details about the incident, including what precipitated the shots or why police were dispatched, were not released.

“I stand before you today, another sad day for our department and our city as yet another Phoenix police officer has been shot in the line of duty,” said Michael Kurtenbach, executive assistant chief of the Phoenix Police Department, at a news conference after the incident, according to Arizona Republic. 

The report said the officer was shot several times and she was in stable condition, with authorities saying her bulletproof vest likely prevented more severe or fatal wounds. Her name was not released, according to the report, and city officials expressed their support for the work the city’s police officers. 

“Every day, moms, dads, daughters, sons, they choose to put on a Phoenix police officer uniform, pin a badge to their chest and then choose to go out and protect us," Phoenix City Councilwoman Anne O’Brien said, according to Arizona Republic.

Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, told Arizona Republic it is frustrating to learn another police officer is the victim of an attack while protecting and serving the city. 

“Unfortunately, there are risks associated with this type of work, and [this] is another reminder of the sacrifices made each day by our officers," Kriplean said. "The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association will continue to keep the officer and their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, and hope for a quick recovery.”   

Kurtenbach said authorities understand that residents have the right to legally own firearms. 

“But we have to address this crime that is plaguing our officers and our city,” he said. 

Phoenix Police Sgt. Philip Krynsky told Fox10 that a pair of suspects allegedly got out of a car with guns drawn and masks hiding their faces. 

"Through the rearview mirror the detective was able to see the actions of the two males and began to put on her police ballistic vest and draw her handgun,” he told Fox10. 

Fox10 reported that the detective, a 19-year-veteran of the department, was injured and was not able to return fire. 

“This incident highlights the inherent danger our police officers face investigating these violent crimes in an attempt to apprehend dangerous," Krynsky said, according to Fox10. 

Phoenix police used social media in the wake of the incident to request that the public avoid the area, which it described at that time as an “active scene.”