Deputy recounts survival after March shooting

A Volusia County sheriff’s deputy who was shot while responding to a call in Deltona says he is grateful to be alive and preparing to return to duty. According to ClickOrlando, Deputy Jose Rivera was shot three times on March 2 while he and a trainee were at a home to question a man about a vandalism complaint. Investigators say one of the rounds struck Rivera’s body camera, a hit that likely prevented a fatal injury.

Rivera told the station the experience was humbling and sharpened his focus on family and recovery. He said he is thankful he will still be able to watch his children grow up. The sheriff’s office expects him to make a full recovery, and Rivera said he is returning to light duty this week before moving into a K-9 handler role with the agency’s Crime Suppression Team.

What investigators say happened

Authorities say Rivera and his trainee responded to the home of Luis Diaz Polanco in Deltona. After deputies made contact, investigators say Polanco went back inside, reopened the door and fired directly at Rivera. The sheriff’s office said Rivera was hit in the thigh and shoulder, while another bullet struck the body camera mounted on his chest.

Last week, investigators were able to recover footage from the damaged camera, adding to the evidence in the case. Rivera said watching that video brought back emotions from the shooting, but he also emphasized that he and the trainee were able to survive the encounter and that the suspect was taken into custody.

Why Edgewater readers may care

Although the shooting happened in west Volusia rather than Edgewater, it is still a significant county public-safety story. Edgewater residents are served by the same broader criminal justice system and often follow major incidents involving the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, especially when they raise questions about officer safety, body-camera technology and emergency response.

The case also underscores how quickly routine calls can turn dangerous. For residents across Volusia County, including Edgewater, the story is a reminder of the risks first responders face and the role that equipment, training and backup can play in survival.

What comes next

Polanco faces charges tied to the shooting, and the case is continuing through the court system. Rivera said community support has helped motivate his recovery and return to work. That public response, along with the release of new details, has kept the incident in the spotlight across the county.

For now, the most immediate update is Rivera’s recovery: he is alive, expected to fully heal and preparing to resume service. In a county where law-enforcement news often has ripple effects beyond the city where an incident occurs, that makes this one of the more notable recent public-safety developments for local readers to know about.