On September 16, 2016, Officer Xavier Serrano and Officer Ray Christian Azucena responded to a possible suicide call. Upon arrival, they entered an area where a witness was reported to have been waiting. However, as they moved into the area, the officers were ambushed by the shooter who opened fire with a .45 ACP handgun from less than 10 feet away.
Officer Serrano was shot five times, including once in the chest and four times off the armor, and Officer Azucena was shot once in the chest.
While additional officers returned fire, Officer Azucena and another officer carried Officer Serrano to cover where he began receiving medical attention.
At the hospital, it was discovered that the officers’ Second Chance® Summit SM02 Level IIIA armor stopped the rounds that had hit them directly in their chests.
Officer Azucena is back on light duty and Officer Serrano had several surgeries for the hits off the armor and is hopeful that he will return to duty soon.
We welcome Officer Xavier Serrano, SAVE #1976, and Officer Ray Christian Azucena, SAVE #1977, to The Safariland Group SAVES CLUB®.
