Newly released body camera footage shows the moment that a Douglas County Deputy was ambushed by a motorist carrying a rifle.
On Friday, May 12, 2017, Douglas County Deputy Brad Proulx pulled up behind a stranded white SUV parked on the side of County Line Road and approached the passenger-side window. After the driver - now identified as 25-year-old Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas - gestured, the Deputy Proulx responded, "I'll come around," and then walked behind the vehicle and towards the driver's-side.
As soon as the deputy made it around the rear, Maestas rushed him and began hitting him with the butt of his rifle. As the officer fell to the ground, he was able to unholster his weapon and fire a shot off. With the attack coming out of nowhere, it is remarkable that the officer was able to accurately return fire and simultaneously yell "shots fired" over the radio. Deputy Proulx's shot struck Maestas in the arm. https://youtu.be/LW-0XfLTCrA The attacker, obviously not of sound mind, can be heard screaming, "I didn't do anything, I can prove it." As Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas kneels, sobbing and professing his innocence, the officer repeatedly yells for him to "get on the ground."
The dramatic body camera video was revealed at a press conference on Wednesday in Littleton.
“As he approached the vehicle, the occupant of the vehicle got out of the vehicle with a rifle and confronted the deputy,” explained Littleton Police Commander Trent Cooper. He continued:
It certainly could have cost the deputy his life. You know, it just goes to show how unpredictable, how the situations are where this deputy thought he was making a courtesy traffic stop and helping a motorist in need and a short time later, he’s involved in an officer-involved shooting.” - Trent CooperDeyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas is currently being held on $50,000 bail and is being charged with First Degree Assault of a Police Officer. Deputy Brad Proulx is being lauded for his quick response under pressure. What began as a routine stop to hopefully help a disabled motorists turned into a fight for survival. Deputy Proulx's actions are a constant reminder of the sacrifice that police officers make on a daily basis and a reminder of just how fast things can go south.
