Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jul 2010
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2010 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Nathan Gonzalez
Note: Republic reporters Laurie Merrill and Edythe Jensen contributed to
this article.

POLICE, COMMUNITY MOURN FALLEN CHANDLER DETECTIVE

In just three short years with Chandler police, Detective Carlos
Ledesma already had his sights on taking down some of the Valley's
biggest drug movers.

As the department mourns a fallen colleague, others are mourning the
married family man and father of two young boys.

The death of an officer is a painful sting not felt in Chandler since
June 2002, but time between such events doesn't make it less hurtful,
said Shawn Hancock, president of the Chandler Law Enforcement
Association.

"It's something we all hope never happens, but we realize it's part of
the job," he said.

Ledesma was with two other undercover Chandler officers Wednesday
evening when they were shot inside a south Phoenix home during an
operation involving large quantities of marijuana and cash, according
to Phoenix and Chandler police.

Exactly what went wrong, however, remains part of the ongoing
investigation. Just after 7 p.m., Ledesma lay dead at St. Joseph's
Hospital and Medical Center, where one other officer underwent surgery
and another was treated and released.

In the hours following the shooting, friends, colleagues and family
members rallied around Ledesma's wife and children.

"She told me he died doing what he loved - he died serving the
community," said Hancock, who spoke with Ledesma's widow.

"He was always a really friendly guy," said one of Ledesma's
neighbors, who declined to be identified. "We'd see him out front and
he'd say 'Hi, how are you?' "

Ledesma's death rocked his south Gilbert community, where time spent
at home was family time.

"He really enjoyed his time with his boys," the neighbor said as she
broke down in tears. "They were always outside, whether riding bikes
or playing football. He was a really great guy. People could really
look up to him as a great father."

Members of the Ledesma family's church, Mission Community Church in
Gilbert, have offered their support, said Executive Pastor Mike Work.
The church is a spiritual refuge to several officers.

"A lot of these guys have spent their life in law enforcement, and for
many it's the first time they have lost someone this close," Work said

Republic reporters Laurie Merrill and Edythe Jensen contributed to
this article. 
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