(NSFW) Blue On Blue: California Deputy Runs Over Partner During Chaotic Gunfight

This body camera footage, provided by Sonoma County’s Sheriff Department in California, shows their officers chasing a subject who is shooting at them with an assault rifle. During the chaos, a rookie deputy accidentally runs over another deputy, pinning him beneath the patrol car. Viewer discretion is advised.

The suspect, 53 year-old Jose Cervantes, was leading the Sonoma deputies on a high-speed chase. The bodycam footage shown here picks up just before Cervantes’ rounds strike the deputy’s vehicle. Meanwhile, the suspect has rammed his vehicle into the stopped car of another deputy, who was laying spike strips. As the camera deputy exits his vehicle, the chaos is palpable. Conflicting communication fails to indicate where the suspect is or what he’s doing.

At 0:22, he exchanges fire with the suspect, transitioning to his rifle. In the interim, his partner is wounded by shrapnel from Cervantes’ incoming fire. At 03:31, the officer moves his car to provide cover for her. More gunfire erupts. At 04: 53, the officer gets eyes on Cervantes in the suspect vehicle. Cervantes then opens fire again. The officer uses his SUV as cover, exchanging fire with Cervantes. Cervantes takes off at 05:56 in his white sedan, amid more gunfire and the deputy gets in his vehicle again, to give chase.

There’s another perspective change at 06:08. This is the deputy who was laying the spike strips earlier. The deputy’s camera shows him moving in on Cervantes and his vehicle, finally dropping him at 06:17. However, three seconds later at 06:20, we get a record-scratch moment.

Finally, at 06:28, we see the first officer’s perspective again, shortly before the last camera footage ended. In chasing Cervantes, at 06:30, he runs over the deputy whose perspective was just shown and into his patrol car. It takes him a few precious seconds to understand what just happened. Unbeknownst to the rookie, the impact has thrown the other deputy under his car- thankfully, as pinning him between the two would have almost certainly killed him. The rookie tries to move the other vehicle, but is unable. In his state of high adrenaline he doesn’t even recognize which deputy he hit.

Cervantes was killed in the firefight, and miraculously, the deputy who was struck is in stable and continuously recovering condition, though it will be a long road.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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