Deputy shooting case moves forward in Volusia court

A high-profile Volusia County criminal case returned to court this week as attorneys argued over what records should be made public in the prosecution of Luis Diaz Polanco, the man accused of shooting a Volusia County deputy in March. While the case is centered in Deltona, it carries countywide public-safety significance for Edgewater readers because it involves an attack on a deputy during a call for service and raises questions about what evidence will be released as the case proceeds.

According to ClickOrlando, Diaz Polanco, 31, faces two counts of attempted murder after investigators say he opened fire on Deputy Jose Rivera at a home on Candler Drive. Deputies said Rivera was struck in the leg and shoulder. Sheriff Mike Chitwood previously said one bullet hit Rivera’s body camera in the center of his chest, which investigators believe altered the round’s path and may have prevented even more serious injuries.

At Thursday’s hearing, the defense sought to limit public release of materials tied to the investigation. Attorneys ultimately agreed that about 14 pages of a 53-page confession transcript will remain sealed for now, while the remaining pages may later become public record. The court action does not resolve the criminal charges, but it does mark another step in a closely watched case involving violence against law enforcement in Volusia County.

The reporting says investigators allege Diaz Polanco told detectives he intended to shoot deputies and would have killed them if he had not run out of ammunition. Those allegations are among the most serious details to emerge so far, though the case remains active and will continue through the court system. For residents across southeast Volusia, including Edgewater, the hearing is a reminder of the risks deputies face on routine calls and the long legal process that follows a major violent-crime case.

Why it matters locally: Edgewater residents rely on countywide law-enforcement agencies and mutual aid partnerships that connect public-safety responses across Volusia. Major cases involving attacks on deputies can affect public confidence, court transparency, and broader conversations about officer safety. Even when an incident happens outside Edgewater, developments in the case are relevant to readers tracking county justice and law-enforcement issues.

No trial outcome was decided at this hearing, and the court’s latest action focused narrowly on records and disclosure. Still, the case remains one of the more consequential public-safety matters in Volusia County this week. Edgewater readers should expect additional hearings and possible future release of more records as prosecutors and defense attorneys continue to litigate what information can be made public before trial.