On Friday, June 27, 2025, Corporal David Sojka responded to a reported disturbance involving an intoxicated individual who was believed to be armed with a firearm. Corporal Sojka and Officer Lee Sharum made contact with the individual and, upon determining that he had outstanding arrest warrants, attempted to take him into custody. During the arrest attempt, the subject actively and violently resisted, kicking and biting the officers in an effort to evade apprehension.
As Corporal Sojka attempted to deploy a less-lethal weapon, the subject threatened to kill him, immediately produced a 9mm handgun from his waistband, and fired a shot at close range. The round struck the lower left side of Corporal Sojka’s Safariland® SX02 Level IIIA body armor, which was worn in a V1 Front Opening AWS carrier.
Following the shooting, the subject turned toward Officer Sharum. Recognizing the immediate threat, Officer Sharum discharged his issued firearm, effectively stopping the subject’s actions.
After the incident, Corporal Sojka conducted a self-assessment and determined that his body armor had successfully prevented the round from penetrating his body. He was transported for medical evaluation and treated for a contusion to his abdomen resulting from the impact of the round against his protective armor. He was released from medical care later that evening and has since made a full recovery, returning to full duty.
We welcome Corporal David Sojka as Save #2282 to The Safariland Group Saves Club®.