A funeral service was recently held for Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 25 while serving an eviction notice at a central Tucson apartment complex. | Pima County/Facebook
A funeral service was recently held for Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 25 while serving an eviction notice at a central Tucson apartment complex. | Pima County/Facebook
A funeral service was recently held for Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 25 while serving an eviction notice at a central Tucson apartment complex.
“Her passion was to make the world a better place and assist those less fortunate,” family friend Richard Gastellum said, according to 12News.
12News reports that many gathered to honor and pay respects to Martinez-Garibay on Sept. 1 at St. Augustine Cathedral.
“You get up every morning and walk out into a world that may welcome your presence, or want to do you harm,” Bishop Edward Weisenburger of the Diocese of Tucson said, according to 12News. “But you do that so that the rest of us to live in a safe, stable, civilized world.”
Gastellum said the homicide investigation is ongoing, and discussions are being held with Tucson police and Pima County to reform constable-related policies and protocols.
“When change happens, Deborah's sacrifice will not have been in vain,” Gastellum said.
Prior to becoming a Pima County Constable, Martinez-Garibay served in the Army for 16 years and then held an ambassador role with a PGA Hope organization to help disabled veterans.
“She understood the awesome responsibility in carrying out her duties and wanting to treat people as people treating them with dignity and respect,” Gastellum said, according to KGun9.
Gastellum said he will miss Martinez-Garibay’s compassionate personality, according to Kold News 13.
“It takes a special human being to help others face life’s challenges,” Gastellum said. “Deborah was that person.”
Martinez-Garibay’s cousin Andrea Fraz, who is advocating for mental health to be taken seriously following the shooting, was moved by everyone who showed up to the funeral service, according to Kold News 13.
“It was beautiful,” Fraze said. “I sat there and I thought every person in this place has a story, remember when Deborah, you know? Everyone has one. She was so big to everybody. She was always a phone call away no matter what you needed.”
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