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Wounded SDPD officer released from hospital

The officer wounded in the line of duty in a Southcrest shooting has been released from the hospital.

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A San Diego police officer critically wounded last month in a Southcrest-area shootout that killed his partner  continued his recovery at home Tuesday following his release from hospital care.
   
Wade Irwin, a nine-year member of the San Diego Police Department, was discharged from a trauma center Saturday night, SDPD spokesman Lt. Scott Wahl announced late this morning.

RELATED: Remembering fallen San Diego police officer as his partner recovers
   
"He and his family are thankful for all of the support and well wishes (from the public),'' Wahl said.
   
The 32-year-old lawman and fellow gang-unit Officer Jonathan "J.D.'' DeGuzman were conducting a field stop on Acacia Grove Way when they came under fire about 11 p.m. on July 28.
   
Suspicious about two pedestrians who suddenly split up and walked off in different directions as the officers approached in a marked cruiser, DeGuzman and Irwin pulled over, and the latter got out to question one of the men, later identified as 55-year-old ex-con Jesse Michael Gomez.
   
When Irwin asked if he lived in the area, Gomez opened fire on him with a pistol, then shot DeGuzman, 43, five times at close range while the officer was still strapped in the driver's seat of the squad car, prosecutors allege.
   
Irwin, though suffering from a bullet wound to the neck, was able to return fire and radio for help. Police rushed DeGuzman to a hospital, where he was pronounce dead shortly after arrival.
   
Gomez, who also was critically wounded in the exchange of gunfire, pleaded not guilty Aug. 2 from his hospital bed to charges of murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He has since been booked into county jail and is being held in lieu of $5 million bail.
   
The suspect also faces a special-circumstance allegation of murder of a police officer, making him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

RELATED: Mourners bid farewell Friday to fallen SDPD Officer De Guzman

Gomez's next court hearing, a status conference, is scheduled for Sept. 1.


 

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