• Fallen officer laid to rest

    Fallen officer laid to rest

  • Motorcade heads to cemetery for fallen Phoenix officer David Glasser

    Motorcade heads to cemetery for fallen Phoenix officer David Glasser

  • Officer David Glasser's casket leaves church

    Officer David Glasser’s casket leaves church

  • Joseph Yahner speaks at Officer's David Glasser Funeral

    Joseph Yahner speaks at Officer’s David Glasser Funeral

  • The casket of Phoenix Police Officer David Glasser

    The casket of Phoenix Police Officer David Glasser

Nearly one year after Phoenix police Officer David Glasser was shot and killed by an armed robbery suspect, dozens of his family, friends and fellow first responders gathered for the unveiling of a historical marker erected near the spot where he was fatally wounded.

A quiet, 30-minute ceremony was held near the intersection of 48th Lane and Baseline Road in Laveen late Wednesday morning as part of the unveiling.

“Police Officer David V. Glasser End of Watch May 19, 2016,” the dedication reads. It joins the 37 other permanent, historical markers placed around the city to commemorate Phoenix police officers killed in the line of duty.

It was May 18, 2016, when Glasser was critically injured after engaging in a gunbattle with the suspect, who also died in the exchange.

Dedication ceremony

With heavy hearts, family and friends of the 35-year-old police officer remembered the man known as an inspiration to others.

Glasser’s family declined to speak to the media Wednesday, but Sgt. Vince Lewis, a spokesman with the Phoenix Police Department, recalled fond memories during Glasser’s first few days on the force.

“David always had such a presence about him,” Lewis said. “He always had a smile on his face. But he was a tall man, and you remember him coming through the security gate where we search people before they enter the training environment, and I remember David.”

Glasser, a Phoenix police officer for 12 years, made the “ultimate sacrifice” that day in May, Lewis said.

“It’s bittersweet. It’s an honor, but it is another permanent marker and the scars are still fresh on all of us,” Lewis said. “These markers exist to reach out and touch the community. We want them to feel just as much a part of our police department. Going forward, it’s one of those situations that helps you feel more close to each other.”

Glasser was one of six officers who responded to a call of a burglary in progress at a home in the 7700 block of South 48th Lane. The caller said his son was robbing him and stealing his guns. The officers followed the man to his home, where they found Israel Santos-Banos, 20, seated in a vehicle in the driveway.

Santos-Banos began shooting at officers, striking Glasser. The other officers returned fire and killed Santos-Banos at the scene.

Glasser was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries the next day.

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A dedicated officer, public servant

According to summaries of his employee reviews requested by The Arizona Republic last year, Glasser was a man who was not only dedicated to his work and fellow police officers but also to his wife, Kristen, and their two children, Micah and Eden.

Glasser was based in the Maryvale precinct and was a member of the department’s neighborhood enforcement team with deep ties to the community.

In 2007, he helped spot the car of a suspect who had attempted an armed robbery at a Burger King. Three years later, he helped arrest another armed-robbery suspect in connection with a series of hits at beauty supply stores.

In a 2016 interview, Glasser’s former sergeant, Officer Ben Sywarungsymun, said Glasser was always the first to help his fellow officers in need.

“Anytime any other agency or detail requested our assistance as a squad, he would always jump up and say, ‘I’ll help out,’ ” Sywarungsymun said. “Even though it wouldn’t be the most glamorous detail, he was always willing to help out and do what needed to be done.”

Glasser was also a beloved figurehead in the community. In 2005, his supervisors received an appreciation note from a father who was helped by Glasser after being stranded on the highway with his daughter.

“Officer Glasser was extremely helpful and courteous,” the man wrote. “He did everything he possibly could to be of assistance and to make the situation safer and less stressful for all concerned.”

Now, other Phoenix drivers can remember and honor Glasser as well. 

READ MORE:

Phoenix honors 38 officers who died in line of duty

Fallen officer remembered as ‘larger than life’

Widow of Officer Glasser pens note of thanks

Phoenix police stand in for fallen officer at son’s Little League game

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