DELTONA, Fla. — A Volusia County deputy is expected to make a full recovery after being shot at close range during a confrontation with an armed suspect — a gunfight the sheriff says could have turned deadly if not for the deputy’s body camera.
Deputy Jose Rivera, who has been with the agency since 2023, was shot while investigating a reported disturbance tied to an earlier incident in DeLand on March 2, Sheriff Mike Chitwood said during a press briefing.
Rivera and his trainee, Deputy Jacob Gomez Lopez — who has been on the street for just eight days — tracked the suspect to a Deltona home, where the encounter quickly escalated.
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Gunfire erupts at the front door
According to the sheriff, the deputies knocked on the suspect’s door to question him about an alleged vandalism or assault reported earlier in the day. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Luis Diaz Polanco, answered the door holding a box and appeared surprised to see deputies.
When deputies asked him to put the box down and step outside, he allegedly slammed the door and retreated into the home. Deputies saw him moving toward the back of the house, prompting Rivera to direct his trainee to reposition in case the suspect exited from the rear.
Instead, authorities say Polanco returned to the front door, opened the box, retrieved a tan Glock handgun and began firing.
Rivera was struck during the exchange of gunfire, which Sheriff Chitwood said occurred from less than six feet away.
A bullet hit Rivera “dead center,” striking his department-issued body camera mounted on his chest. The round is believed to have ricocheted, traveling through his shoulder.
Sheriff Mike Chitwood called the outcome “nothing short of divine intervention,” saying the body camera likely saved the deputy’s life.
“If you don’t believe in God, things like this make you believe in God,” Chitwood said. “This could have turned deadly.”
Investigators estimate both Rivera and the suspect fired multiple rounds, though the exact number remains under review pending a full ballistic analysis and recovery of evidence from the home.
‘Load and go’ response
As additional deputies arrived, Rivera — despite being wounded — broadcast over the radio the suspect’s description, clothing and the type of firearm involved, the sheriff said.
Responding deputies pulled Rivera from the line of fire, applied first aid and drove him directly to a nearby hospital. After being stabilized, he was airlifted to Halifax Health Medical Center’s trauma unit in Daytona Beach.
From all reports, Rivera was in “excellent spirits” and joking with medical staff, Chitwood said.
“Deputy Rivera is in great spirits at the hospital with his family by his side. He’s a father of 3 young kids, a U.S. Army veteran, and from what he told me this evening — he already wants to get back to work,” Chitwood said.
Suspect in custody; investigation ongoing
Polanco attempted to flee after the shooting but was taken into custody as deputies secured the scene. Two other individuals inside the home were later detained and interviewed; authorities do not believe they were involved in the shooting.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the deputy-involved shooting, while the sheriff’s office will pursue attempted murder charges.
Authorities are awaiting a search warrant to recover the firearm and collect shell casings and other ballistic evidence. Investigators are also working to obtain Ring doorbell footage from the neighborhood.
Rivera’s body camera was heavily damaged and is currently inoperable. The device is being sent to Axon in hopes that video from the confrontation can be recovered.
Deputy Gomez Lopez was running toward the back of the home when gunfire erupted, so the shooting was not captured from his perspective.
Suspect’s prior history
The sheriff said Polanco had prior law enforcement contacts, including a Baker Act-related custody order in June. He was previously involved in a confrontation with a neighbor in Seminole County in which a firearm was reportedly displayed, though no charges were pursued at that time.
Other law enforcement agencies have previously described Polanco as having a history of mental health issues and violent behavior, according to the sheriff.
Earlier in the day of the shooting, Rivera and Gomez Lopez had interviewed the suspect’s family members about an altercation involving threats and damage to a vehicle. Family members reportedly warned deputies that Polanco could be violent and told them where he was staying.
A close call for a new deputy
Gomez Lopez graduated from the academy on Jan. 20 and is currently in field training. The shooting marked his eighth day on patrol.
The sheriff said the deputies on shift that night were relatively new but had requested assignments in Deltona.
“I cannot tell you enough that I believe Deputy Rivera is an absolute hero,” Chitwood said. “His partner is just as much a hero.”
The scene remained active into the night as investigators worked to document evidence. Portions of the street were expected to remain closed for several hours.
Authorities said additional updates, including potential release of 911 audio and any recovered body camera footage, would be provided as the investigation continues.
