San Diego Police Officer Injured in Deadly Shooting Last Year Back on Duty
The deadly shooting in San Diego's Southcrest neighborhood last year left the officer's partner dead.
By Jaspreet Kaur ••
Officer Wade Irwin, 32, was shot during a traffic stop in Southcrest Thursday night. His partner did not survive. NBC 7’s Matt Rascon has latest on his recovery.
The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officer injured in a shooting rampage last year that killed his partner is back on duty.
SDPD Officer Wade Irwin returned to the department this week in a limited role, police confirmed to NBC 7 Tuesday.
The officer suffered a gunshot wound to his neck last July when he was out on patrol in San Diego's Southcrest neighborhood.
Irwin and his partner, Officer Jonathan De Guzman, had pulled over suspect Jesse Michael Gomez during a traffic stop on July 28, 2016, when the suspect opened fire, point blank range, at both officers, police said.
The slain officer in the Southcrest police shooting, Jonathan De Guzman, was a 16-year San Diego police veteran. He was once awarded a Purple Heart. NBC 7’s Mari Payton has more information.
De Guzman, a 16-year veteran of the SDPD, was shot and killed.
Police say Irwin will be on desk duty, as he is still recovering from his injury.
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Images of San Diego Police Officer Jonathan "J.D." De Guzman shown at his memorial service on August 5, 2016.
Enrique Lopez/NBC 7 San Diego
More than 300 uniformed officers from all over the country lined up to salute fallen SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman on Aug. 5, 2016.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
San Diegans lined up at an overpass on Interstate 8 at Grossmont Blvd. to pay their respects to fallen Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman during his procession on Aug. 5, 2016
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
Firefighters take a moment of silence for fallen SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" DeGuzman during his procession on Aug. 5, 2016.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
San Diegans line up at a freeway overpass to pay their respects to fallen Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman during his procession on Aug. 5, 2016.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
This man was among many San Diegans who turned out to salute the officer's procession on Aug. 5, 2016, flag in hand.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
San Diego firefighters also saluted the fallen hero.
Mark Sackett/NBC 7 San Diego
Officers pay tribute to De Guzman at his memorial in San Diego on Aug. 5, 2016.
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Loved ones filed into Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego's East County on Aug. 5, 2016 for the memorial service of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman.
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Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman's teenage son, Jonathan De Guzman Jr. - a senior in high school - spoke of his father, and said he's never been more proud to share his father's name.
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Amira De Guzman, daughter of fallen SDPD Officer Jonathan De Guzman, was the last speaker at her father's memorial service on Aug. 5, 2016. Through tears, the girl thanked everyone for attending the service.
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In her emotional tribute, De Guzman's mother, Fe De Guzman, shared how incredible her son was as a father, police officer and as her son. "He was my son," she said, sobbing.
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SDPD GSF Officer Cassie Ericson spoke at the service as well, sharing fond memories of De Guzman, including how he always liked to be the "door-knocker" during his time on SWAT -- the officer who pushed through the door during a call.
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SDPD Sgt. John Iammarino shared many fun anecdotes about his friend, De Guzman, whom he likened to a brother. He said De Guzman loved music and karaoke, and of course, getting the bad guys.
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SDPD GST Sergeant Allan Butchart spoke about De Guzman at his service on Aug. 5, 2016 at Shadow Mountain Community Church.
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SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman was among the speakers at the memorial service of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman on Aug. 5, 2016. "JD was the best of us," the chief said.
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Attorney General of California Kamala Harris spoke at the fallen officer's memorial service as well, saying the entire state is supporting the officer's family during this difficult time.
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San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer spoke at the service on Aug. 5, 2016. He called De Guzman the "perfect officer."
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SDPD Chaplain Chuck Price spoke at the memorial service on Aug. 5, 2016. He said so many officers responded to the scene of De Guzman's deadly shooting on July 28, it literally felt like the entire world was there.
Enrique Lopez, NBC 7
The flag-draped coffin carrying SDPD Officer Jonathan De Guzman arrived at Shadow Mountain Community Church for the public memorial on Aug. 5, 2016.
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The casket carrying slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman arrived at Shadow Mountain Community Church on Aug. 5, 2016.
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The American flag waves as the funeral procession for De Guzman makes its way to Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego's East County.
Artie Ojeda/NBC 7 San Diego
The program for the funeral of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman on Aug. 5, 2016. De Guzman was gunned down on July 28 while on duty in San Diego's Southcrest area. He was on the force for 16 years.
Enrique Lopez/NBC 7 San Diego
An officer pays her respects to slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" DeGuzman at his public memorial on Aug. 5, 2016.
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The casket carrying slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman arrived at Shadow Mountain Community Church on Aug. 5, 2016.
Artie Ojeda/NBC 7 San Diego
More than 2,000 police officers from San Diego and other cities attended a funeral on Aug. 5, 2016 for slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman. Officers wore this black stripe on their badges -- the badge number of De Guzman.
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Images of San Diego Police Officer Jonathan "J.D." De Guzman shown at his memorial service on August 5, 2016.
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SDFD firefighters and local residents lined a bridge along San Diego's Interstate 8 on Aug. 5, 2016 to pay their respects during the procession for De Guzman.
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Hundreds of private citizens lined the streets of San Diego for the funeral procession for the slain officer on Aug. 5, 2016.
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Drivers stopped along the center divide along Interstate 8 on Aug. 5, 2016 to salute the motorcade in the procession for De Guzman.
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Law enforcement officials lined up to pay their respects to De Guzman on Aug. 5, 2016 at his funeral at Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego's East County.
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Law enforcement officials lined up to pay their respects to De Guzman on Aug. 5, 2016.
Mark Sackett/NBC 7 San Diego
The law enforcement presence at the procession was strong.
Enrique Lopez/NBC 7 San Diego
A large American flag was displayed at the funeral of the slain officer.
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SDFD firefighters and local residents lined a bridge along San Diego's Interstate 8 on Aug. 5, 2016 to pay their respects during the procession for De Guzman.
Artie Ojeda/NBC 7 San Diego
At San Diego's Shadow Mountain Community Church, officers from many other cities lined the procession path for the funeral of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman.
Artie Ojeda/NBC 7 San Diego
Law enforcement officials arrived by the bus loads on Aug. 5 to pay their respects at the funeral of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman.
Liberty Zabala/NBC 7 San Diego
Police officers wait to start the procession for slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman's funeral in San Diego on Aug. 5, 2016.
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An aerial view of the procession waiting to begin.
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Images of San Diego Police Officer Jonathan "J.D." De Guzman shown at his memorial service on August 5, 2016.
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The procession for slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman's funeral in San Diego on Aug. 5, 2016.
SDPD officers on motorcycles led the procession to slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman's funeral at Shadow Mountain Community Church on Aug. 5, 2016.
Artie Ojeda/NBC 7 San Diego
The program for the funeral of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman on Aug. 5, 2016.
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SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman is pictured top right as pallbearers carry the coffin of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman into Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Aug. 4, 2016. De Guzman was gunned down on July 28 in San Diego's Southcrest community during a traffic stop. His partner, SDPD Officer Wade Irwin, was badly wounded in the shooting, but survived.
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Pallbearers carry the flag-draped coffin holding slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman at his funeral on Aug. 4, 2016 at San Diego's Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
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Pallbearers carry the flag-draped coffin holding slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman at his funeral on Aug. 4, 2016 at San Diego's Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
Enrique Lopez/NBC 7 San Diego
Friends and family gathered at San Diego's Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Aug. 4, 2016 for the funeral of slain San Diego Police Department Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman.
Enrique Lopez/NBC 7 San Diego
Corpus Christi Catholic Church filled to capacity on Aug. 4, 2016 as loved ones and police officers attended the funeral of slain SDPD Office Jonathan "JD" De Guzman.
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A display of flowers with the message 'Blue Lives Matter," sat in front of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in San Diego during the funeral for De Guzman on Aug. 4, 2016.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
Pallbearers carry the flag-draped coffin holding slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" De Guzman on Aug. 4, 2016.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman at the funeral of slain SDPD Officer Jonathan De Guzman on Aug. 4, 2016. Zimmerman has called his killing "senseless" and has said De Guzman was a caring man devoted to his family and to making San Diego a safer place.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
Police officers filed in for the funeral on Aug. 4, 2016 at San Diego's Corpus Christi Church.
Rory Devine/NBC 7 San Diego
Police officers from other cities, including New York City and Portland, also attended De Guzman's funeral in San Diego.
De Guzman, an officer with the SDPD's Gang Unit, was a 16-year veteran of the force.
The funeral began at 11 a.m., nearly one week after Officer De Guzman was gunned down, along with his partner, SDPD Officer Wade Irwin, in San Diego's Southcrest area.
Greg Stickney/NBC 7 San Diego
A man kneels down to pray at the growing memorial at SDPD headquarters on July 29, 2016.
San Diego Police Department
SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" DeGuzman (left) was killed in the shooting in Southcrest on July 28. Officer Wade Irwin was badly wounded, but survived.
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Since 1913, the city of San Diego has lost 33 officers in the line of duty.
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The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) was among many other local law enforcement agencies who showed their support for the SDPD. Here, the CVPD displays the message: "Our Hearts Are Heavy."
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The memorial continues to grow, and SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman says the families of the officers are seeing each and every note and are grateful for the outpouring of love.
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San Diegans stopped at the memorial on July 30, 2016 to pay their respects.
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Signs and notes of support for the SDPD filled the memorial on July 30, 2016.
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A candle marked "JD" payed tribute to slain SDPD Officer Jonathan "JD" DeGuzman.
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Candles were set at the plaque as well, paying tribute to the officers.
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Flowers lined the base of a plaque dedicated to SDPD officers killed in the line of duty.
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A woman places more flowers at the memorial at SDPD headquarters in downtown San Diego on July 30, 2016.
Diana Guevara/NBC 7 San Diego
A flag, flowers and police tape mark where SDPD Officer Jonathan DeGuzman was shot in San Diego's Southcrest neighborhood.
Omari Fleming/NBC 7 San Diego
A young girl places flowers at a growing memorial at the San Diego Police Department headquarters downtown on July 29, 2016.
Candice Nguyen/NBC 7 San Diego
A woman places flowers at the memorial.
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More flowers, candles and notes line the area in front of SDPD headquarters, paying tribute to slain Officer Jonathan "JD" DeGuzman and wounded Officer Wade Irwin.
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The memorial stands at the foot of a plaque bearing the names of slain SDPD officers. The city has now lost 33 officers in the line of duty, dating back to 1913.
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At the San Diego Padres game on July 29, 2016 a moment of silence was observed at Petco Park for slain Officer Jonathan "JD" DeGuzman.
Erik Ho/NBC 7 San Diego
Earlier in the day, the organization released this statement in regard to the shooting: "We condemn anyone who uses vengeance as a tool to kill innocent police or innocent victims."
Erik Ho/NBC 7 San Diego
Reverend Shane Harris and others with NAN laid a wreath for the officers as a symbol of solidarity.
Candice Nguyen/NBC 7 San Diego
The National Action Network (NAN) San Diego, a community organization led by Reverend Shane Harris, held a peace vigil in Southcrest on July 29, 2016 – at the site where the SDPD officers were gunned down.
City of San Diego/Twitter
The flag at the SDPD headquarters flew at half-staff on July 29, 2016.
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The scene of the deadly shooting was roped off July 29, 2016 as the investigation continued.
Calvin Pearce/NBC 7 San Diego
Dozens of San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officers surrounded the Southcrest community in the early hours on July 29, 2016 after a shooting left one officer dead and another wounded.
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SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman said one suspect -- Jesse Michael Gomez, 53 -- has been arrested in connection with the shooting of the officers.
Gomez is facing charges in the shooting, including murder and attempted murder.
