Wounded Florida Officer Relied on Training

Oct. 2, 2011
Hillsborough County Deputy Lyonelle De Veaux's training kicked in as she was fired upon by a suspect, and her actions may have saved her own life.

Hillsborough County Deputy Lyonelle De Veaux's training kicked in Friday night as she was fired upon by a suspect, and her actions may have saved her own life.

As the bullets approached her body, De Veaux turned, crouched and backed up, according to The St. Petersburg Times.

She received shots to her upper leg, lower leg and shoulder and is expected to make a full recovery.

Sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon told the newspaper that the outcome could have been much worse.

"She did what she was trained to do," he said. "Practicing and rehearsing different scenarios helps, because then, when something happens, you don't think, you just react."

Deveaux responded to the possible domestic dispute call at the Inwood Park Apartment Homes complex at 4747 W. Waters Avenue in West Tampa at approximately 10:22 p.m.

Upon arrival, she was met by a woman at the entry gate. She placed the woman inside her cruiser and prepared to take her statement when she was approached by the boyfriend who pulled a gun from under his shirt.

Officials said he fired at least nine shots before retreating.

The gunman was found close to five hours after the shooting when deputies gained entry to an apartment he barricaded himself in.

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