PHOENIX — The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association on Tuesday responded to what they called a brutal attack on an officer Sunday night and said the "vanilla media release" from the police department failed to convey the brutality of the attack.
The Phoenix Police Department said the officer was flagged down near Central Avenue and Thomas Road late Sunday by a woman who said she had been assaulted by the father of her children, 24-year-old Rudy Gomez.
As the officer was talking with the woman, police said Gomez approached the officer in a highly agitated manner and then assaulted the officer, who ended up on the ground with Gomez punching him multiple times in the face and kicking him while he was down.
The police department said the officer was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was released Wednesday and is recovering from his injuries at home.
But PLEA said the suspect punched the officer in the face up to 12 times, rendering him unconscious and then stomped on the officer’s face.
“The officer’s injuries are horrific; two broken eye orbital bones, lacerations on the head and above the eye, and a broken nose. He was almost unrecognizable only minutes after the assault. It’s nothing short of miraculous that he survived," PLEA President Darrell Kriplean said in a news release.
Kriplean added that a Maricopa County judge set bond "at a shockingly low $60,000 secured appearance bond, despite the seven charges that include two Class 2 felonies for aggravated assault on a police officer, a prior aggravated assault, and the $100,000 cash bond requested by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office."
PLEA represents law enforcement employees and works to protect and secure members’ rights and benefits.
“Every society needs law and order to survive," Kriplean said. "Every law-abiding citizen should be incensed by the callousness of the uncontrolled rage Gomez displayed in his attack on our officer. The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is outraged over this horrific attack and the shameful miscarriage of justice by the court. Our officers deserve better.”
The police department released a statement following PLEA's critical response.
Chief Michael Sullivan said:
"On Sunday night a Phoenix police patrol officer was violently assaulted by a domestic violence suspect and sustained significant facial injuries requiring hospitalization and surgery.
This is yet another example of the continued attacks on officers. Responding officers quickly and professionally took the suspect into custody and booked him for aggravated assault on our officer and related domestic violence offenses.
Our officer remains hospitalized and is receiving the best care possible. We are grateful for the sacrifice he and his family have made to serve the public.
I have spoken with County Attorney Rachel Mitchell who assured me this case will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The Phoenix Police Department demands our officers perform to a high standard. We also demand that when we perform to that standard, and are brutally assaulted, criminal suspects are held accountable for their actions.
We appreciate the public outpouring of support for our injured officer and our sworn and professional staff working day in and day out to keep our city safe."
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.