A Phoenix police officer has tragically died just days after being shot multiple times by a suspected car thief earlier this week. Officer Zane Coolidge, a five-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, passed away after spending three days in the hospital. He leaves behind a wife and a young daughter.
Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan and Department Commander Leif Myers, who had worked alongside Coolidge for years, spoke to Arizona’s Family about the loss. “It’s heartbreaking to see a young girl without her father,” Myers said. “We are committed to honoring Zane’s memory by supporting his daughter through significant life events like graduations and kindergarten ceremonies. We will ensure that his legacy endures.”
The department is deeply mourning the loss of their colleague. “I urged everyone to take care of one another and to check in regularly,” Sullivan said. “It’s incredibly frustrating to know that this tragedy involves someone who should not have been on the streets.”
On September 3, Officer Coolidge and Officer Matthew Haney responded to a report of 41-year-old Saul Bal breaking into a vehicle near 16th Street and McDowell Road. During the subsequent chase, the officers encountered gunfire. Bal fled on foot but was eventually apprehended by nearby officers.
Both Coolidge and Haney were transported to Banner University Medical Center. Officer Coolidge, despite receiving medical care, succumbed to his injuries.
Bal appeared in court on Saturday, where he faced an upgraded charge of first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer. He invoked his right to remain silent, and his cash bond remains set at $2 million, with the potential for the death penalty.
Officer Haney was released from the hospital on Wednesday evening and is currently recovering at home. Initially, it was reported that his ballistic vest had saved his life, but Chief Sullivan later clarified that Haney sustained injuries from either a bullet or shrapnel. It is uncertain if further surgery will be required.
The procession for Officer Coolidge on Friday night moved from Banner University Medical Center to the medical examiner’s office in downtown Phoenix, marking a somber moment for the department and the community.