Bodycams are becoming increasingly important for law enforcement — and the public — because we can see an unfiltered view of what really happened during a confrontation and can interpret the results for ourselves, without the rhetoric of the anti-police mob or the pitiful denials of the criminals. It’s also true that they can capture misconduct by officers, and we can make sure they’re held to account.
One thing they’re not generally known for, however, is directly saving lives — but that’s just what this Volusia County sheriff’s deputy’s cam did. Although the incident happened in March, the bodycam footage has only recently been released, and let me tell you, this officer is lucky to be alive.
He probably wouldn’t be if his camera hadn’t deflected a bullet that very likely would have killed him. It was a harrowing situation, the type that our brave law enforcement officers across the nation face all too frequently:
A Volusia County sheriff’s deputy in Deltona, Florida survived a close-range shooting last month after his body camera deflected a bullet aimed at his chest, according to newly released footage and law enforcement officials. The incident occurred on Sunday (March 1) as Jose Rivera and a deputy trainee responded to a call for an assault and battery investigation.
As reported by the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and shown in body camera video, Rivera and his partner attempted to speak with a suspect at a residence. The suspect, identified as Luis Diaz Polanco, initially ran back inside the house, then quickly returned and opened fire at close range on the deputies.
One of the bullets struck Rivera’s body-worn camera, likely preventing a fatal injury.
Words are one thing, but it’s the video that really tells the story. First, Rivera talks to a neighbor, then he approaches the house of the perp, who was under suspicion of committing assault and battery as well as vandalism. It’s all routine until the 39-second mark, where the psycho barrels out of his front door and takes direct aim at the officer:
As we’ve seen all too often — think, Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024 and Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner — the line between life and death can be all too tenuous. If Rivera thinks God was looking down on him at that moment, he has every reason to:
One of the bullets struck Rivera’s body-worn camera, likely preventing a fatal injury. Sheriff Mike Chitwood said, "There is no doubt in my mind he had every intention when those deputies knocked on that door to kill them." Additional shots hit Rivera in the arm and thigh. He was initially believed to have suffered two gunshot wounds, but medical assessments now indicate he was hit three times.
Investigators say Polanco confessed to the attack and admitted he was not taking his medication for schizophrenia at the time. Authorities had been warned by Polanco’s mother about his violent tendencies and history of missing medication. The full bodycam footage documents the moment Rivera was shot and his immediate reaction before the camera was disabled by the impact.
Video recovered from body camera that stopped bullet, saved Volusia deputy’s life https://t.co/tvcQxDFViy pic.twitter.com/1QDM0PevqX
— WFTV Channel 9 (@WFTV) April 23, 2026
Like Trump, the Attempted Assassinations of Two Other Republican Presidents Reflect Their Impact
Polanco has pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder and is scheduled to appear in court in May. Rivera is recovering at home from his injuries.
It’s brave officers like him that the Left loves to demonize and undercut, yet, at the end of the day, they are what stands between us and chaos.
We wish Jose Rivera a speedy recovery.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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