DELTONA, Fla. — A Volusia County deputy is predicted to make a full restoration after being shot at shut vary throughout a confrontation with an armed suspect — a gunfight the sheriff says might have turned lethal if not for the deputy’s physique digicam.
Deputy Jose Rivera, who has been with the company since 2023, was shot whereas investigating a reported disturbance tied to an earlier incident in DeLand on March 2, Sheriff Mike Chitwood stated throughout a press briefing.
Rivera and his trainee, Deputy Jacob Gomez Lopez — who has been on the road for simply eight days — tracked the suspect to a Deltona residence, the place the encounter shortly escalated.
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Gunfire erupts on the entrance door
According to the sheriff, the deputies knocked on the suspect’s door to query him about an alleged vandalism or assault reported earlier within the day. The suspect, recognized as 31-year-old Luis Diaz Polanco, answered the door holding a field and appeared shocked to see deputies.
When deputies requested him to place the field down and step exterior, he allegedly slammed the door and retreated into the house. Deputies noticed him shifting towards the again of the home, prompting Rivera to direct his trainee to reposition in case the suspect exited from the rear.
Instead, authorities say Polanco returned to the entrance door, opened the field, retrieved a tan Glock handgun and commenced firing.
Rivera was struck in the course of the trade of gunfire, which Sheriff Chitwood stated occurred from lower than six toes away.
A bullet hit Rivera “dead center,” putting his department-issued physique digicam mounted on his chest. The spherical is believed to have ricocheted, touring via his shoulder.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood known as the end result “nothing short of divine intervention,” saying the physique digicam seemingly saved the deputy’s life.
“If you don’t believe in God, things like this make you believe in God,” Chitwood stated. “This could have turned deadly.”
Investigators estimate each Rivera and the suspect fired a number of rounds, although the precise quantity stays beneath evaluation pending a full ballistic evaluation and restoration of proof from the house.
‘Load and go’ response
As further deputies arrived, Rivera — regardless of being wounded — broadcast over the radio the suspect’s description, clothes and the kind of firearm concerned, the sheriff stated.
Responding deputies pulled Rivera from the road of fireplace, utilized first assist and drove him on to a close-by hospital. After being stabilized, he was airlifted to Halifax Health Medical Center’s trauma unit in Daytona Beach.
From all stories, Rivera was in “excellent spirits” and joking with medical workers, Chitwood stated.
“Deputy Rivera is in great spirits at the hospital with his family by his side. He’s a father of 3 young kids, a U.S. Army veteran, and from what he told me this evening — he already wants to get back to work,” Chitwood stated.
Suspect in custody; investigation ongoing
Polanco tried to flee after the taking pictures however was taken into custody as deputies secured the scene. Two different people inside the house had been later detained and interviewed; authorities don’t consider they had been concerned within the taking pictures.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy-involved taking pictures, whereas the sheriff’s workplace will pursue tried homicide expenses.
Authorities are awaiting a search warrant to get better the firearm and gather shell casings and different ballistic proof. Investigators are additionally working to acquire Ring doorbell footage from the neighborhood.
Rivera’s physique digicam was closely broken and is at present inoperable. The system is being despatched to Axon in hopes that video from the confrontation might be recovered.
Deputy Gomez Lopez was operating towards the again of the house when gunfire erupted, so the taking pictures was not captured from his perspective.
Suspect’s prior historical past
The sheriff stated Polanco had prior regulation enforcement contacts, together with a Baker Act-related custody order in June. He was beforehand concerned in a confrontation with a neighbor in Seminole County through which a firearm was reportedly displayed, although no expenses had been pursued at the moment.
Other regulation enforcement companies have beforehand described Polanco as having a historical past of psychological well being points and violent habits, in line with the sheriff.
Earlier within the day of the taking pictures, Rivera and Gomez Lopez had interviewed the suspect’s relations about an altercation involving threats and harm to a car. Family members reportedly warned deputies that Polanco might be violent and advised them the place he was staying.
A detailed name for a brand new deputy
Gomez Lopez graduated from the academy on Jan. 20 and is at present in area coaching. The taking pictures marked his eighth day on patrol.
The sheriff stated the deputies on shift that evening had been comparatively new however had requested assignments in Deltona.
“I cannot tell you enough that I believe Deputy Rivera is an absolute hero,” Chitwood stated. “His partner is just as much a hero.”
The scene remained energetic into the evening as investigators labored to doc proof. Portions of the road had been anticipated to stay closed for a number of hours.
Authorities stated further updates, together with potential launch of 911 audio and any recovered physique digicam footage, can be supplied because the investigation continues.
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