Three days after being shot during a traffic stop, San Diego police officer Wade Irwin is still in the hospital.
Irwin, 32, and his partner Jonathan De Guzman, 43, were both shot while on duty in Southcrest Thursday night. They were rushed to the hospital, but De Guzman didn’t survive.
Irwin woke up after his surgery Friday only to learn that De Guzman had died from his injuries.
“Not only is he significantly injured, but he lost his partner...That's like losing his brother,” attorney Jim Cunningham, with the Fraternal Order of Police, said.
Cunningham described Irwin as an extremely devoted police officer, husband and father of a 19-month old girl.
Irwin comes from a family of police officers, and has been with the San Diego Police Department for nine years. He has served in the department’s elite gang suppression unit since June.
Cunningham said Irwin is anxious to get back to work, but he will have some significant needs including rehab moving forward.
Irwin hopes be out of the hospital in time for his partner's funeral services on Thursday.
“I can tell you that Wade Irwin is probably the bravest, most courageous police officer I've met in my life,” Cunningham told NBC 7.
The Fraternal Order of Police has set up a Gofundme page for Irwin and his family.
Suspect Jesse Michael Gomez, 52, was taken into custody Thursday night for the murder of De Guzman and attempted murder of Irwin.
