On May 22, 2021 Officers from the Adel Georgia Police Department responded to a report of a stolen vehicle that was abandoned. As the officers approached to investigate, an occupant opened fire with a .45 ACP handgun, hitting Officer Nitschke 3 times – the lower front torso, the hip and buttock. Thankfully, she was able to move to cover as the second officer returned fire. The assailant began to flee but collapsed not far from the initial shooting.
The assailant had been fatally wounded in the gunfight and aid was then provided to Officer Nitschke. Her Safariland® SX02 Level II armor had stopped the .45 ACP round that had hit less than ½ inch from the lower edge. Injuries were sustained from the 2 rounds that struck off the armor, resulting in emergency treatment. Since then, Officer
Nitschke completed physical therapy for those injuries and has returned to full duty.
We welcome Officer Katelynne Nitschke, SAVE #2121, to The Safariland Group SAVES Club®.
