Death penalty sought for killing of Apache Junction Police Officer Gabriel Facio
“People don’t respect police officers anymore,” Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller said, “and it’s leading to assault, casualties and murder.”
- Djerf was the second person to be executed by Arizona in 2025.
- Djerf’s attorney previously said the criminal justice system failed Djerf and that putting him to death would bring no justice.
The state of Arizona executed Richard Djerf by lethal injection on Oct. 17 in a prison facility in Florence.
His time of death was 10:40 a.m., and he had no last words, said John Barcello, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.
Djerf was sentenced to death for the 1993 murders of Albert Luna Sr., his wife, Patricia Luna, and two of their children, Rochelle Luna, 18, and Damien Luna, 5, in Phoenix. They were family members of Djerf’s roommate, Albert Luna Jr., who Djerf believed had stolen electronics and a gun from him.
Luna Jr. declined to talk to Republic reporters in the days leading up to the execution.
Djerf was the second person to be executed by Arizona in 2025. In March, Aaron Gunches was the first to be put to death by the state since 2022. Officials hit pause on the death penalty that year after executioners had trouble inserting IVs into three successive condemned men.
Djerf, 55, in September said in a handwritten statement provided to The Arizona Republic that he would not ask for his life to be spared and that he hoped his death would bring “some measure of peace.”
Djerf’s attorney previously said the criminal justice system failed Djerf and that putting him to death would bring no justice. Djerf had undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder and brain damage when he killed the Lunas, according to his attorney, Therese Day.
Djerf told The Republic the week of his execution that he was ready to die.
“I would prefer that this not be happening, but that is a choice I lost 32 years ago,” he wrote in a message. “The only thing I can do is face up to what I’ve done and accept this punishment with as much dignity as possible.”
Djerf said he hoped the focus after his death would shift to the Lunas.
“They are who should be remembered, not me,” he wrote.
Djerf told The Republic on Oct. 16 that for his last meal, he requested a double cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato, deep-fried onion rings with ketchup and a slice of cherry pie with whipped cream, all from a local restaurant. He said he was expecting his final dinner to be at 5:30 p.m. the day before his death.
Witnesses describe Richard Djerf’s execution
Djerf was “completely compliant” during the execution, said John Hook of FOX 10, one of five media witnesses.
The execution team struggled to insert the IVs, Hook said. “This is not easy stuff, especially with a heavy man,” he said.
Briana Whitney of Arizona’s Family said Djerf did not appear to be in any pain and that the process seemed “peaceful” and “clinical.” He did not look at the witnesses, she said.
Sejal Govindarao of the Associated Press said the process of inserting the IVs into Djerf’s arms took about nine minutes.
Héctor Lagunas of Univision said Djerf “never opened his eyes, from the start to the end.” At one point, Lagunas said he saw blood on one of Djerf’s arms as techs were trying to insert an IV, but they cleaned it up as they went.
Matthew Casey of KJZZ said the witness room was standing-room-only and that there were tissues available as well as paper bags, seemingly for vomit. He said it seemed Djerf stopped breathing before the final syringe of drugs was deployed.
Hook said there were 18 people in the witness room. Attorney General Kris Mayes and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell were present. No members of the Luna family were there.
(This is a developing story. Check back for updates.)
