Deputy

Department of Justice

9/25/2012

Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor

Investigating a child sexual abuse call, Deputy Michael Spears accompanied Detective Ali Perez and Sergeant Craig Johnson to the suspect’s second floor apartment. As other deputies positioned themselves on both the stairwell and the rear of the apartment, Detective Perez knocked and announced their presence, but there was no response. Upon hearing a child crying from somewhere inside the apartment, Sergeant Johnson and Detective Perez kicked the door open and entered the apartment. Detective Perez was immediately shot by the suspect. Sergeant Johnson was also shot, but managed to return fire and call for assistance. Deputy Spears shielded Sergeant Johnson with his body and then kicked open the door of a neighboring apartment so they could take cover inside. A short time later the suspect crawled out of his apartment and was held at gunpoint by Deputy Spears and Deputy Steven Clarke. Detective Perez and Sergeant Johnson were both rushed into emergency surgery and are recovering from their injuries.