LEAPS Central Texas - Officer Of The Year

In the early morning hours of Monday July 20th 2009 Officer Gonzales a security officer and employee of ATX Protection & Investigations Corp. located in Austin TX was working his normal patrol route. While conducting a foot patrol of a contracted property Officer Gonzales heard what he described as yelling, and engines revving. As Officer Gonzales made his way to the back of the property on foot to investigate he witnessed a silver SUV and red truck at a stand off across the street at another apartment property. The silver vehicle wanted out and the red truck wanted in. At some point the red truck attempted to pull away and move to the next entrance. The silver SUV then revved its engine again, accelerated and smashed into the red truck. The silver SUV reversed, and accelerated forward again smashing into the red truck, the silver SUV then again reversed, accelerated and smashed into the red truck this time pushing it several feet down the street. The silver SUV then fled the scene.

Officer Gonzales having witnessed the entire event then scaled the fence of the contracted property to render aid to the victims of the red truck. There were three occupants. As Officer Gonzales was making sure everyone was ok Officer Gonzales heard a vehicle approach at what sounded like a high rate of speed. Officer Gonzales looked up and realized it was the vehicle that had just assaulted the red truck and its occupants. At this point Officer Gonzales using a flashlight signaled for the vehicle to stop, it did, stopping just short of the scene. Officer Gonzales then saw the passenger door of the silver SUV open at which time the silver SUV accelerated in reverse. Officer Gonzales saw something tumble out from under the SUV, when he realized the object that tumbled out from under the SUV was a person he concluded the SUV had just run over the passenger that had exited the vehicle. While the passenger was laying motionless in the street Officer Gonzales again ordered the driver to stop and called for help from another ATX Officer over the radio. The driver at this point made eye contact with Officer Gonzales and accelerated toward the unconscious victim and Officer Gonzales. Officer Gonzales again ordered the driver to stop and as a last resort he dropped his flashlight and drew his weapon, with one last order to stop the driver refused to comply and fearing for the life of the victim that had been already run over and his own safety Officer Gonzales fired his weapon at the driver of the vehicle in an effort to stop him. At this point the driver stopped, reversed his SUV, made a 180 degree sliding turn and sped away. Officer Gonzales signaled to a bystander to call 911 at which time Officer Gonzales took the phone and explained to 911 operators what had just occurred and at the same time was rendering aid to the man who had just been run over. Meanwhile another ATX officer, Robert Caudle, who had heard the calls for help spotted the suspect SUV and followed while telling 911 operators his location. The Austin Police Department was in close proximity and was able to pull the suspect over and take him into custody. The suspect was taken to the hospital where he died from gunshots wounds.

According to the witness accounts and Officer Gonzales's own statement Officer Gonzales was defending the lives of at least five people including his own. It is our opinion that Officer Gonzales acted appropriately and bravely as he was faced with a difficult situation and was able to rely on his training and instincts to save the lives of strangers. Officer Gonzales went above and beyond to protect innocent lives, for this we commend him. He is an outstanding Security Officer, husband and father and for his bravery he is awarded ASSIST Officer of the Year and that should be recognized for his heroic actions under extreme circumstances.