Click the image to watch WPTV-TV's story and interview with Captain O'Berry.
It was shift change at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Station 31 on April 8 when firefighters and medics from both A and B shift jumped into action to save a life. What they did that day had the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office recognizing their heroic efforts. During Friday’s ceremony the police combat cross was given to Captain Edwin O’Berry. It’s the first time the award was given to someone who isn’t in law enforcement.
Outside the firehouse door on that morning, a Palm Springs police officer was in trouble. Mauricio Cruz was beating Officer Douglas Rua with a ceramic pot and was going for the officer’s gun. As some of the crew followed paramedic Blum Desravins toward the officer, Captain O’Berry went the other way. Jerome Burdi picks up the story in this excerpt from his article in the Sun-Sentinal:
The firefighters continued to distract Cruz. O’Berry went to his car and got his Glock .40 and ran after Cruz as the paramedics attended to Rua, who suffered a broken arm and fractured skull. Cruz pointed Rua’s gun but O’Berry fired, striking him several times. Police Officer Joseph DeRogatis also fired at Cruz. The paramedics rushed to tend to Cruz after he was shot, but he later died.
O’Berry, who’s worked as a firefighter for 20 years, said receiving the combat cross was an honor.
“My fear was for the officer,” O’Berry said. “He was in a bad situation, we thought he was dead.”
Cruz was released from jail just four days earlier on a charge of attacking a Rivera Beach police officer but was stopped in that case with a stun gun.
“The firefighter used his firearm and probably saved the officer’s life,” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said. “You just don’t expect that.”
Fire-Rescue Chief Steve Jerauld said firefighters are trained to save lives, not take them, but he’s glad the officer was rescued and no one else was injured.
Also on STATter911 …
- Audio: 911 calls, radio & other communications from controversial Alameda drowning released. Listen to recordings & read timeline. – June 9, 2011
- Chicago fire captain accused of pushing marine unit cop to ground at water rescue scene. Investigation underway – November 14, 2011
- Waiting for water: Palm Beach County helmet-cam video of burning RVs with the ambulance arriving first. – March 3, 2011
- Pre-arrival video: Crabby Jack’s well involved. May be one of the last big fires for Deerfield Beach Fire-Rescue. – August 29, 2011
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This is interesting. Was he on duty or off duty at the time? Sorta seems like a legal nightmare. Glad the Capt didn’t get into trouble over it.
In the state of Florida is NOT Illegal for a goverment employee to conceal a handgun in his/her vehicle, even if that vehicle is on Govermnet property. This only applies if said employee is permitted to carry concealed. When that situation arose, he was making a felony citizens arrest, and by protecting that police officer with his own life, he should be exempt from legal backlash. Thats not to say the family of the bad guy, can’t sue in civil court, because he surely must have been deranged and a firefighter or police officer should have known his mental illness. (sarcasm) With the price of ammo these days, the Captain should sue his family for having to use his gun and ammo!
The United States Constitution guarantees us the right to keep and bare arms. This captain exercised his right by keeping his in his car, and he bared it at the appropriate time. He deserves his award.
Thanks Captain O’Berry. You can be my back up any day!
Washington Copper
Gotta love it when gun control works.
“Cruz pointed Rua’s gun but O’Berry fired, striking him several times.”
Nice work Captain!