In March, Martinez-Garibay told the Star she wanted to become a constable for the same reason she joined the military shortly after 9/11.
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Photos: Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay speaks
From the Collection: Latest updates on the Aug. 25 shooting that left 4 dead in Tucson series
Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay was killed on August 25 while serving an eviction notice at Lind Commons Apartments after only five months on the job. Her family members shared memories of her while gathered at a home on the west side.
Martinez-Garibay served 16 years in the Army and ran the Tucson chapter of an adaptive golf program for veterans called PGA HOPE.
“I just felt that it was wrong for me to sit at home when I knew that I could contribute, I knew that I had to go serve my country,” she said in a March interview. “And it’s the same thing with serving my community, I can see a need … for me to sit and watch things happening in my community, or my country, and not take part is just wrong.”
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Gabriel Garibay talks about his wife, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Michelle Martinez-LaVetter talks about her sister, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Connie Hall talks about her sister, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Gabriel Garibay, center, talks about his wife, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Joe Martinez talks about his daughter, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25. Margaret Martinez, mother, listens.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Margaret Martinez, right, talks about her daughter, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25. Joe Martinez, father of Martinez-Garibay, listens.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Ryane Martinez-Garibay becomes emotional as she talks about her mother, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25, which was Ryane's 22nd birthday.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Joanna Caballero talks about her sister, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Joe Martinez talks about his daughter, Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25.
Family of slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Pima County constable Esther Gonzalez talks about her co-worker, constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed in the line of duty on August 25.
Slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Pima County constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay in 2021 at a PGA Hope golf event.
Slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
From left to right, Deborah Martinez-Garibay, Ryane Martinez-Garibay and Gabriel Garibay at Ryane's quinceañera in 2015.
Slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Deborah Martinez-Garibay in Afghanistan while serving in the United States Army in 2010.
Slain Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay
Deborah Martinez-Garibay in Afghanistan while serving in the United States Army in 2010.
In this Series
Collection: Latest updates on the Aug. 25 shooting that left 4 dead in Tucson
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Deborah Martinez-Garibay's family says constables lack critical support needed to handle dangerous situations.
Los agentes que ejecutan los desalojos carecen del apoyo crítico necesario para manejar situaciones peligrosas, afirma la familia de Deborah Martínez-Garibay, asesinada en el cumplimiento de su deber el 25 de agosto.
The family, friends and colleagues of Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, who was killed Aug. 25 in Tucson, gathered for a funeral…