On April 20, 2013, officers were asked to check on the welfare of a woman whose potentially-armed boyfriend became threatening at a residence on Rusk Avenue. Officers knocked repeatedly but received no response so they entered through a back door utilizing a PROTECH® Intruder shield for cover. As they entered, they found the woman on the couch where she had been fatally shot.
As Officer Alejandro Ardila rounded a corner carrying the Intruder shield, the officers were ambushed by the boyfriend who fired at them from a hallway. The shield then deflected a round which hit Officer Ardila in the shoulder and Sergeant Wesley Partin III in the arm. Despite being shot, the officers took cover and returned fire.
The suspect retreated to a back room and a five-hour standoff ensued. During the standoff, a shot was heard from within and SWAT eventually cleared the house and the suspect was found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Richmond Police Department’s Lt. Naoroz stated in the report, “It is unknown what the bullet would have done had Officer Ardila not been using the shield in a proper and tactical manner, but I believe the outcome would have been far different.” Both Officer Alejandro Ardila and Sgt. Wesley T. Partin III recovered from their injuries and were recognized with one of the highest awards from the Richmond Police Department – The Police Medal for Bravery.
We welcome Officer Alejandro Ardila, SAVE #1880, and Sergeant Wesley T. Partin III, SAVE #1881, to The Safariland Group SAVES CLUB®.
