PHOENIX — The widow of a Phoenix police officer is taking legal action to prevent the sale of the firearm used in her husband’s tragic killing. Julie Erfle has learned that the weapon, long held as evidence, remains in police custody nearly two decades after the incident.
State regulations dictate that police departments must auction off confiscated firearms, including those linked to violent crimes. However, Erfle, who is driven by her own grief and the rights of other crime victims, argues that this weapon should be destroyed instead.
“I want that gun to be gone forever,” she expressed in a recent interview, reinforcing her belief that the weapon, which impacted her life so profoundly, should not be given a second chance. “My husband didn’t get another chance, so why should this gun?”
Her husband, Officer Nick Erfle, was fatally shot in the line of duty in September 2007. The details of his death have haunted Erfle, who still vividly recalls the horrific events surrounding the tragedy. “With every memory, the violence lingers,” she shared, reflecting on the pain of losing her partner and the nightmares that followed.
Erfle inadvertently discovered that the gun was still in police possession just a couple of years ago, sparking her decision to pursue a lawsuit against the City of Phoenix and Police Chief Matt Giordano. She cites Arizona’s Victims’ Bill of Rights as the foundation of her legal claim, arguing that it empowers her to block the sale of the weapon that led to her husband’s death.
“I know all too well the consequences of the violence carried out with that gun, and it stays with you,” she pointed out, emphasizing the ongoing impact of tragic memories.
However, Erfle’s legal battle faces potential challenges. A law enacted in 2013 codifies that firearms seized by law enforcement cannot be destroyed but must instead be sold, creating a conflict with her goal. “It’s alarming to think that this gun could eventually end up being used in another crime,” she said, concerned that other families may face similar pain.
Local authorities, including Mayor Kate Gallego, have acknowledged the sensitive nature of this issue. In a statement, she affirmed that there are no current plans to auction the firearm linked to Officer Erfle’s murder and voiced support for revising the law that restricts destruction of weapons used in violent offenses.
“Officer Nick Erfle is a hero to our community, and my heart goes out to Julie and her family,” the mayor stated. “The City of Phoenix is committed to exploring this issue further.”
Erfle responded to the mayor’s remarks, expressing gratitude for her stance but underscored the necessity for legal reforms. She called for an immediate repeal of the law preventing the destruction of such weapons.
“No victim should have to endure the anxiety of a potential sale of a gun that has caused so much harm,” she emphasized. Looking ahead, Erfle remains hopeful for written assurances from the city while advocating for the ultimate destruction of the firearm.
“Public safety should take precedence,” she argued. “No municipality should profit from the sale of weapons tied to violent crimes.” The outcome of Erfle’s lawsuit could have significant implications for crime victims across Arizona, highlighting the broader conversation about victims’ rights and the policies governing confiscated firearms.