500+ Pints of Blood Donated for Wounded Deputies

The San Diego Blood Bank announced Wednesday that more than 500 pints of blood have been donated so far in the name of the sheriff’s deputies shot and wounded in Lakeside last week.

Detective Ali Perez and Sgt. Craig Johnson were shot and injured after confronting suspect Dan Wictzak, accused of possessing child porn, at his Lakeside apartment on Sept. 25.

Perez, who has had several surgeries over the past week, was shot at least twice with a high-powered gun -- including once in the stomach. Officials also said he suffered severe damage to vital arteries in his arm, as well as some damage to his shoulder.

Johnson underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to the arm and was released from the hospital Friday, officials said.

According to the Blood Bank, the outpouring of support for the deputies via blood donations has been solid. The donations given in their names will help save patients’ lives, the Blood Bank said.

A large amount of the donated blood was sent to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Many of the donors were law enforcement officials who donated at a special blood drive arranged by the Blood Bank and Sheriff’s Department at the John F. Duffy Sheriff’s Administration Center on Monday.

That particular drive yielded 105 donations, Blood Bank officials said.

According to a post Wednesday on the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Facebook page, another “Save a Hero” blood drive for Detective Perez is scheduled for Oct. 8 between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Lowes parking lot located at 9416 Mission Gorge Road in Santee.

Those who would like to donate blood in Perez’s name should give the code "AP07" or "SHRF" at the blood drive.

To get the latest updates on the injured deputies, click here.
 

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