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“If you didn’t believe in God before, you certainly do now,” remarked Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
DELTONA, Fla. — A Florida deputy’s body camera, strategically positioned on his chest, may have been the crucial factor that saved his life during a gunfire exchange.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jose Rivera was dispatched to a battery complaint on Monday night in Deltona. Upon his arrival, Rivera, accompanied by another deputy, approached a residence where their knock was met by 31-year-old Luis Diaz Polanco, who appeared taken aback at the sight of law enforcement.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood explained that the deputies requested Polanco to set down a box he held at the door. Instead, Polanco abruptly shut the door and retreated inside. Rivera then instructed his partner to cover the back of the house, anticipating Polanco might attempt an escape.
The situation escalated when Polanco reemerged from the front door. He opened the box, drew a Glock, and initiated a gunfight with Deputy Rivera.
After a shot was fired, Chitwood says a bullet went “dead center” through Rivera’s body cam, ricocheted through his shoulder and then took another shot to his leg.
“If you don’t believe in God, you believe in him tonight,” he said.
Other deputies were able to bring Rivera to safety and take Polanco out of the house and place him in custody.
Rivera was airlifted to a hospital and was said to be in “excellent spirits,” Chitwood said.
“You’ve got to believe in God if you’re in a gun battle in that distance,” he said. “There is no room except for divine intervention.”
Polanco faces charges of attempted murder and is also being investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Chitwood said that Polanco has previous incidents of violent behavior and struggles with mental health issues.