LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT MS-13 MEMBER MEETS HIS MATCH

L.E. SPOTLIGHT

A dashcam video image shows Officer Ann Marie Carrizales (center) as her partners tend to her injuries after she was shot in the face by an MS-13 gang member – who she then pursued in her vehicle. Officer Carrizales speaks with the press after the ordeal. She received a Law Enforcement Purple Heart, among other awards, for her bravery.

MS-13 MEMBER MEETS HIS MATCH

Shot in the face by gangster, pugilistic officer still able to initiate pursuit, describe suspect for an arrest.

STORY BY NICK PERNA

e never truly know

Wourselves until we have been involved in situations involving extreme duress. Who we really are in those times, as opposed to what we think we are, are often very different. I am talking specifically about those moments where one faces one’s own possible death. Not by disease or natural causes, but by some rapidly developing event that, depending on your actions, may result in the end of your life.

Few have experienced this. The closest most folks will come are motor vehicle accidents. For military and law enforcement personnel, there is a higher probability of “seeing the elephant” than for their civilian counterparts. That being said, there are no guarantees that a soldier, sailor, marine, airman, police officer, deputy or agent may ever find themselves in one of these life or death situations. These events, luckily, are few and far between and it’s generally a matter of luck (or lack thereof) that dictates when someone may find themselves in that type of situation.

As a combat veteran and a 20-plusyear cop, I have been in a few of these situations. I sometimes refer to them as “brown pants moments” since, given the body’s autonomic response to almost getting your ticket punched, that particular color of pants would be preferable. In those moments where life has almost turned to death, when the veneer we wear during everyday life around others is peeled back, I have, in retrospect, learned a lot about myself. There are things I like about myself in those moments, and things I do not.

What is more important than all of that is how we conduct ourselves in those moments. Do we lay down and accept our fate or do we stand up and fight? Most will never know that answer.

ONE OFFICER WHO conducted herself exceptionally in a near-death event is Officer Ann Marie Carrizales of the Stafford, Texas, Police Department. She is a US Marine Corps veteran who became the first female to represent the corps as an amateur boxer. In 1999, she became the US Women’s National Champion in her weight division.

Carrizales began working for Stafford PD in 2010. Her day of reckoning was on October 26, 2013. She conducted a traffic stop on what turned out to be a group of MS-13 gang members. For anyone not familiar with MS-13, it is a hyper-violent gang with no love for law enforcement. Often referred to as “America’s most dangerous gang,” MS-13 has its roots in Central America, expanded to California, and is now present in almost every state.

Officer Carrizales approached the vehicle and contacted the driver. As she was engaging him in conversation, the front seat passenger drew a handgun he had concealed on his person. He fired at Officer Carrizales, striking her in the chest and face.

At this point, it would be expected

that any normal person would get behind cover, call for backup and wait for medical aid to arrive. Not so for Officer Carrizales. The former Devil Dog was used to being in fights from her time as a boxer. She reacted as a fighter would: She drew her service weapon and returned fire. The suspect vehicle fled. She was not done, though. Despite her injuries, she returned to her police vehicle and initiated a pursuit of the suspects! While giving chase, she calmly advised dispatch that she was shot in the face. She also had the presence of mind to put out clear, concise descriptions of the suspects. The pursuit continued for over 20 miles, where the shooter was apprehended by officers from a neighboring jurisdiction.

Officer Carrizales recovered. She received the Law Enforcement Purple Heart, Congressional Badge of Bravery, and many other awards. She is now an instructor and teaches cops how to survive these deadly-force encounters and how to deal with the aftermath.

Officer Carrizales acted the way we all hope we would act when facing a life-threatening situation. Her bravery coupled with her professional demeanor set the standard for others to emulate. 

Editor’s note: Author Nick Perna is a sergeant with the Redwood City Police Department in northern California. He previously served as a paratrooper in the US Army and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also has a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. He is a frequent contributor to multiple print and online forums on topics related to law enforcement, firearms, tactics and veterans issues.

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