On February 17, 2024, Officer Tyler Kozikowski, along with other officers, responded to a domestic incident and, upon their arrival, was the victim of an ambush-style assault. The husband involved in the domestic was waiting behind the door with a large combat-style knife and charged at Officer Kozikowski as soon as he arrived at the door.
The assailant immediately engaged Officer Kozikowski, and they fell backwards onto the snow in the front yard, where the attacker stabbed Officer Kozikowski multiple times in the chest and arm. Officer Kozikowski’s Safariland® SX02 Level II armor, worn in an M2 carrier, stopped all the hits to his torso.
A second officer fired at the attacker, and Officer Kozikowski, even though severely wounded, was able to draw his duty weapon and fire at the attacker. The assailant was fatally wounded in the encounter.
A tourniquet was applied to Officer Kozikowski at the scene, and he was airlifted to the hospital for the injuries off the armor. After months of physical rehabilitation, Officer Kozikowski has returned to full duty.
We welcome Officer Tyler Kozikowski as Save #2266 to The Safariland Group Saves Club®.
