Saved by the Badge: HB Police Release Picture of Bullet Damaged Badge

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — A Huntington Beach police officer's life was saved by a bullet-deflecting badge.

That symbol of the people served and protected by the Huntington Beach Police Department goes much deeper than that for area law enforcement and fire personnel.

"We are thankful that all of the officers involved are alive and well," the Costa Mesa Fire Fighters Association - IAFF Local 1465 said over Facebook. "We will always back our brothers and sisters in blue." More residents chimed in their thoughts and prayers for the struck officer and his family.

When you inspect the image, it is impossible to overlook how close the shot was to striking the Huntington Police Officer in the chest.

"Another guardian angel on duty!" Millie Brees wrote on Facebook. "Thank goodness the officer's injuries were not life threatening."

Officers were reportedly called to the area of Bushard Street and Yorktown Avenue just after midnight Friday for a domestic violence incident. The suspect reportedly shot at officers, hitting one officer in the badge.

"When the officers arrived, the male suspect involved in the incident got into a vehicle and fled the residence," Huntington Beach Police Department reported over Facebook release. "Officers followed the suspect onto Yorktown where the suspect made a U-turn and shot at the officers with an unknown-caliber gun. One round went through the windshield of one officer’s vehicle, striking his badge. The round deflected off of the officer’s badge. Another officer was able to return fire."

The ensuing police pursuit led through three counties this morning before ending in a fiery crash on the Cajon pass.

Huntington Beach Police Department's Twitter account noted that the officer who was shot survived the shooting. The California Highway Patrol was captured in the below video, expressing their appreciation for the Huntington Beach Police Department and their relief that the officer was not mortally wounded.

"On behalf of the California Highway Patrol, we wish the officer well, we would never imagine the badge we all work so hard for saved his life," a CHP officer was recorded saying this morning at the scene of the crash where it all ended.

The suspect who reportedly fired at police was killed in a fiery crash at the end of a southern California car chase that started in Huntington Beach and ended on the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County.

The vehicle crashed off the side of northbound state Route 15 near Cajon Boulevard about 2:30 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The chase began when officers went to a residence in Huntington Beach to investigate a domestic violence incident, according to broadcast reports.

During the investigation, the suspect fired at officers, with a bullet hitting an officer's badge, authorities said. The officer was not injured.

"We are glad that (the) officer is OK ... treated and released," CHP Officer Steve Carapia told reporters at the crash scene. "It's one of those things you can never imagine."

The name of the fatally injured man was not immediately released.

More information on this story will be updated as it is verified. Please refresh this page for updates.

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