The incident occurred on June 26, 2012, when Deputies Douglas Waller and Kevin Watson of the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office in Independence, Virginia, responded to a report of a domestic dispute in Galax, a municipality within Grayson County Sheriff Office’s territory. As the deputies approached the front door, the assailant opened fire from a higher level inside the residence, sending a large caliber round hurtling towards Deputy Waller at a severe angle. Fortunately, Deputy Waller’s ABA® XT2-9 body armor deflected the round from his abdomen. Though the bullet did strike Deputy Waller’s hip, both deputies were able to retreat to cover behind a vehicle and return fire until the assailant surrendered.
Deputy Waller was transported to Twin County Regional Hospital to be stabilized and was later airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC, where surgeons credited his body armor with saving his life. The assailant was charged with two counts of attempted capital murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Deputy Waller will be returning to full duty September 5.
We welcome Deputy Douglas Waller, SAVE #1803, to The Safariland Group SAVES CLUB®.
