There are literally no words that can properly convey the incredible man our husband and father was. He was a selfless man who was always there for a neighbor, a friend, his brothers in blue, but mostly his family. He dedicated his life to serve, protect, provide for, and love us. He was truly our hero and always will be.”

Family of Cmdr. Gregory S. Carnicle

By Chris Caraveo
Twitter: @ChrisCaraveo31

A Phoenix police commander was killed and two other officers were injured in a shooting after responding to a disturbance call.

Police identified Cmdr. Gregory S. Carnicle, 56, as the officer shot and killed the night of Sunday, March 29. He was a 31-year veteran and was months away from retirement.

"Tonight we lost a true hero," Chief Jeri Williams said, adding she has known Mr. Carnicle for about 30 years, back to when they were working out of the Maryvale Precinct and eating their fair share of Church's Chicken. "To be able to stand here today and say that one of my good friends is lost is troubling."

Mr. Carnicle is survived by his wife and four adult children.

"There are literally no words that can properly convey the incredible man our husband and father was," according to a statement from his family via Phoenix police. "He was a selfless man who was always there for a neighbor, a friend, his brothers in blue, but mostly his family. He dedicated his life to serve, protect, provide for, and love us. He was truly our hero and always will be. He touched many lives and many hearts have now been broken. We are beyond thankful for our community. We appreciate the outpouring of kind words and we hear your prayers. We know he will live on through the character and love he built in our family. We are strong because of him and we will do our best to live to the fullest to honor him.”

Officers Marissa Dowhan, 23, and Officer Alicia Hubert, 22, were also shot and are expected to recover, police said. A 22-year-old male suspect was also shot and killed, police said.

The incident happened before 8 p.m. Sunday near 39th Drive and Pinnacle Peak Road, about 2 miles west of Interstate 17.

Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said officers responded to a residence around 4:40 p.m. Sunday for a family fight but learned it was roommates calling about another roommate who was acting erratic and strange. The roommates wanted the 22-year-old to leave.

Ms. Fortune said officers entered the home and tried to contact Jacob Emry McIlveen. He was cooperative at first, and officers helped him remove property. At one point, the 22-year-old closed the door and left the officers outside the residence.

Police said three officers reentered the home and spoke with the 22-year-old. However, he didn't want to leave the house and went to an upstairs room. The three officers started walking upstairs when the 22-year-old exited the room and shot and injured them, police said. Another officer returned fire at the man.

"The courage of the additional officers that responded to that scene as they entered that house to ensure that those officers were removed safely was incredible," Ms. Fortune said.

Mr. Carnicle was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Ms. Dowhan and Ms. Hubert are expected to recover, police said.

The scene was very active well past 10 p.m. Sunday. Police later said the suspect came out of the home with a weapon, and an officer shot at the man. He was pronounced dead and identified as Mr. McIlveen.

The investigation into the shootings remain under investigation.

Police said Mr. Carnicle held positions throughout the department including Special Assignments Unit, the K-9 Unit, the Professional Standards Bureau, the Crime Lab, and evening and weekend patrol operations.

"We stand with the Phoenix Police Department and all of our first responders. We are so saddened by this loss," Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel said. "As a community we need to be there for each other right now more than ever."

“I have known Commander Greg Carnicle since our time at Cortez High School," Sheriff Paul Penzone stated via the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Twitter account. "He is a good man, kind and thoughtful and was proud to serve this community with the @PhoenixPolice. This is an absolute loss for our community."

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday, March 30, to honor Mr. Carnicle.

“Arizona is deeply saddened by the loss of Phoenix Police Commander Greg Carnicle,” Mr. Ducey stated. “Commander Carnicle and his fellow officers displayed bravery and courage in the face of danger. They put their lives on the line to carry out their duty — with Commander Carnicle paying the ultimate sacrifice. His passing, just months before his retirement, is yet another tragic reminder of the dangers our officers face everyday to keep us safe. Our prayers are with Commander Carnicle’s family and loved ones and the Phoenix Police Department.”

The most recent death of a Phoenix police officer in the line of duty was March 2019 when Officer Paul Thomas Rutherford was struck by a vehicle. The last Phoenix officer killed in a shooting was Officer David Van Glasser in May 2016.

All donations made through the Phoenix Police Foundation will go to Mr. Carnicle's family and the other two officers who were injured.

The 100 Club of Arizona also collects donations for the families of fallen first responders. Click here to donate.