By admin 
SURPRISE, AZ (AZFamily) — Police say a retired Maricopa County sheriff’s deputy was gunned down by his son, leading to officers shooting and killing the son at a Surprise home over the weekend.
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The victim was identified as 63-year-old Ruben Garcia, who served with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for more than 30 years before retiring in May 2015. He was described as a “longtime, well-respected public servant.”
Garcia wasn’t only a retired deputy sheriff with decades of service to the community, but had survived being shot in the line of duty about a decade earlier.
In January 2013, Deputy Garcia responded to a domestic violence call in Peoria when he was shot multiple times and airlifted to the hospital in critical condition.
He survived and returned to service until he retired in May 2015.
Weekend shooting
Police believe Ruben Garcia was shot and killed by his own son, 37-year-old Brandon Garcia, on Saturday night.
“He was a good man and he took care of other people, and now his own son took his life. That is very sad. We are very sorry,” said Fawzia, a neighbor.
Police say a caller reported the father and son got into an argument and that multiple gunshots had rung out inside the house near Reems and Greenway roads.
When officers entered the home, they encountered Brandon Garcia and, at some point, shot and killed him, according to Surprise Police Sgt. Rick Hernandez. Ruben Garcia was later found dead inside the home.
In a statement, Maricopa County Sheriff Jerry Sheridan wrote in part, “{it} is a tragedy that his life ended like this. Deputy Garcia bravely survived being shot in the line of duty and continued to serve with dedication until his retirement.”
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“He was a good, loving man, father, and husband. He will be missed by his family and friends. He was very loved,” the Garcia family said in a statement.
Glendale police are investigating what led up to officers shooting and killing Brandon Garcia.
Read the department’s full statement below.
Sheriff Jerry Sheridan says the passing of Retired Deputy Sheriff Ruben Garcia, who was killed on June 13, 2026, is a tragedy that his life ended like this. Deputy Garcia bravely survived being shot in the line of duty and continued to serve with dedication until his retirement.
This heartbreaking loss deeply affects all who knew him, and Sheriff Sheridan extends his heartfelt condolences to Deputy Garcia’s family during this difficult time.
Deputy Garcia honorably served with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office from September 1984 until his retirement in May 2015, leaving behind a legacy of courage, resilience, and commitment to public service.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that if you are a victim of domestic violence please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233), or text SAFE to 88788.
An investigation into the officer-involved shooting is still underway.
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