Radio Stops Bullet after Suspect Shoots N.M. Police Officer in Chest

"His radio saved his life. The bullet is lodged in the radio," said Albuquerque's police chief about an officer who wasn't injured after he was shot when a suspect opened fire during a struggle.
Source Officer.com News
Dec. 22, 2025

What to know

  • An Albuquerque police officer was shot in the chest during a struggle with a felony warrant suspect, but he avoided injury when the bullet struck his radio.

  • Officers were searching for an accused repeat car theft suspect when the man pulled a gun and fired.

  • The suspect, who police said has a 15-year criminal history, was wounded when another officer returned fire.

'His radio saved his life. The bullet is lodged in the radio.'

An Albuquerque, NM, police officer's radio stopped a bullet after a suspect began shooting during a struggle Sunday.

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A New Mexico police officer shot in the chest escaped injury over the weekend when the bullet struck the radio he was carrying.

The incident happened Sunday when Albuquerque police were searching for an accused repeat car thief wanted on two felony warrants, KOAT-TV reports. A struggle ensued when officers located the suspect, and the man was able to pull a gun and began shooting.

One officer was struck by a shot, and a second officer was able to return fire. The suspect, who had a criminal history spanning 15 years, was wounded and taken to the hospital in critical condition.

"This shot struck the officer in the chest" Chief Harold Medina told KOAT. "His radio saved his life. The bullet is lodged in the radio."

The shooting is under investigation.

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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