Marking the one-year anniversary of his tragic death, Phoenix inaugurated a memorial for fallen officer Zane Coolidge, who lost his life in the line of duty. The ceremony, hosted on McDowell Road near the spot where the 29-year-old officer was shot while responding to a call, drew members of the community and law enforcement peers to pay their respects. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky encapsulated the sentiment, “It’s very touching for us because, again, it’s just such a young man. He was working hard, he was a great officer.”
During the incident that led to Coolidge’s death, he and his partner Officer Matthew Haney were responding to an attempted car break-in, when they were both shot. Officer Haney fortunately recovered from his injuries, but, Coolidge succumbed to his wounds three days later. Phoenix Police Commander Leif Myers shared with FOX 10 Phoenix, “He knew that he gave both, but he gave everything to that family and everything to that little girl,” reflecting on Coolidge’s role as a husband and father to a then-5-month-old child. The memorial marker, now the 43rd to be established, commemorates his sacrifice and is positioned on McDowell Road, just east of 16th Street.
In alignment with the annual tradition of honoring fallen officers before National Police Week events, this year the city added Officer Coolidge’s marker. Additional details about the markers throughout the Valley can be found on the Phoenix Police Department’s website, which hosts a full list, thereby offering an enduring tribute to those who have fallen in the line of duty. For those looking to further understand the significance of these memorials, the Phoenix Police Department’s podcast “The Call Box” released an episode specifically about the markers on Aug. 31, which is available for public listening, as per 12 News…