VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A deputy with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office was award the state's top honor on Tuesday night for his heroic efforts, which were captured on video from his body camera video about a year ago.
In July 2016, Deputy Justin Ferrari and his fellow deputies responded to a call for a domestic disturbance in which a woman's husband opened fire in the home they shared with their three children, whose ages ranged from 23 months to 7 years old.
[Read previous story: Man shoots wife with children in home in Deltona, deputies say]
The woman, who was shot in the leg, and her children were taken to safety, and video of their rescue was captured on Ferrari's body camera.
"A dramatic video, captured by his body camera, shows how Ferrari bravely ran towards Victoria, who was able to make it out of the house despite her injuries," the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.
Ferrari helped the woman to a neighbor's home and helped the children as they ran from the home crying.
Ferrari then proceeded to check on his colleagues before Emmanuel Rosado was arrested, deputies said in a statement.
“They tell you to resort to your training, which is true, but this was completely instinctual. I never would have thought that’s how I would have reacted prior to it happening. You just never know until it happens," Ferrari said.
“When we say law enforcement officers run toward danger as others run away, this is exactly the type of situation we are talking about,” said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. “The deputies who responded to the shooting incident in Deltona didn't hesitate; their instincts and training kicked in. Deputy Justin Ferrari represents what we all in law enforcement stand for: honor, integrity, service and courage.”