Rookie cop in LA down

This is some scary shit..........was on my news last night.




Suspect Arrested In Shooting Of Rookie Officer


(CBS) LOS ANGELES Doctors saved the hand of a rookie police officer shot during a traffic stop in Montecito Heights, and two men were in custody awaiting charges of attempted murder, police said Monday.

"There's no other word for it -- this was an attempted assassination of two police officers," said Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton. "We can credit the officer's quick reactions and excellent training for keeping these two violent criminals from getting away."

The shooting happened about 11 p.m. Saturday when Officer James Tuck, 26, who is still in training, and Officer John Porras, an 18-year veteran, made a traffic stop in Montecito Heights, near Lincoln High School, said Lt. Paul Vernon said.

When the patrol car pulled up behind a black Honda on Sierra Street, the passenger, Jose Perez, jumped out and charged officers, raking their car with rounds from an AK-47 assault rifle, he said.

The majority of the bullets hit the passenger side of the police car through the windshield, striking Tuck at least three times, he said.

Two rounds went through his ballistic vest and into his stomach. Another nearly severed his left hand at the wrist.

Tuck's training officer, Porras, was able to get out of the police car and return fire as the gunman continued firing across the right side of their car, wounding the gunman in the leg, according to Vernon.

The officers' car was riddled with bullet holes.

"It's a miracle that neither officer was killed," said Vernon.

The suspect then dropped the rifle and hid in a yard, he said. He was quickly located, arrested and hospitalized.

The other suspect drove off. But after receiving prowler calls from neighbors around Gillig Avenue, police searched for about 90 minutes with canine units and caught him.

The black Honda, which had paper plates, was found abandoned on Gillig Avenue, a block east of Sierra Street. It was later determined that the car had been reported stolen July 28.

Tuck was treated initially at Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. He was transferred to another hospital Sunday, where he underwent surgery Sunday afternoon to save the use of his hand, said Officer Mike Lopez.

He was in serious but stable condition.

Tuck's parents and brother, also an LAPD officer, were at his side at the hospital.

Porras was treated for injuries from glass fragments to his face.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was awoken by the news and visited the hospital between 12 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., said Ben Golombeck, an aide to the mayor.

Lopez said Perez, 31, of Los Angeles was booked for investigation of attempted murder after being treated and released for a leg wound. He was being held on $2 million bail.

The identity of the other suspected being held has not been released yet.

Tuck graduated from the police academy about nine months ago, said Vernon, and was weeks away from completing his probationary period as an LAPD officer.

(© 2006 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Damn. That is enough to piss ya off.

Damn. Hope he gets well

Thoughts and prayers out to both of these guys.

fuckina... assholes with AK's... :censored:

Damn now that is some messed up stuff. In all reality they are lucky as hell. My thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Those are two very lucky officers. In this day and age, many of those we encounter don't give a cr*p about life in general let alone a cop. We all need to be careful and not take things for granted. Law Enforcement has changed so much in my 16+ years. I think the biggest turning point was the Rodney King incident.

Thoughts and prayers are with him.

Prayers to both officers and their families.
Strength and Honor
Cujo