A retired Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputy who survived a near-fatal line-of-duty shooting more than a decade ago was killed Saturday in a shooting at his Surprise home, according to authorities.
Police identified the victim as Ruben Garcia, 63, a former deputy who served with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office from 1984 until his retirement in 2015. Investigators believe Garcia was fatally shot by his 37-year-old son, Brandon Garcia, following an argument inside the residence near Reems and Greenway roads.
Officers responded to the home around 6:30 p.m. after reports of gunfire. According to investigators, multiple shots were heard during the incident.
When officers arrived, they entered the residence and encountered the suspect. An officer-involved shooting followed, and Brandon Garcia was struck by gunfire. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the confrontation between officers and the suspect. The officer-involved shooting remains under investigation.
Ruben Garcia was widely known within Arizona law enforcement circles for surviving a 2013 shooting while conducting a traffic stop in Peoria. During that incident, he suffered gunshot wounds to the face and torso but ultimately recovered and continued serving with the sheriff’s office until retiring two years later.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences following Garcia’s death, noting his long career in law enforcement and his perseverance after surviving the 2013 attack.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including what led to the confrontation between father and son. No additional information has been released regarding a possible motive.
Authorities also used the incident to highlight the importance of seeking help in situations involving domestic violence and family conflict, encouraging those in need to contact available support resources.
