Miami-Dade Officer Nearly Stabbed To Death Honored
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A Miami-Dade Police Officer who was nearly killed while trying to stop a man from setting fire to a gas station received another honor.
CBS4 was there exclusively as Officer Mario Guttierez was honored in Doral Saturday, May 17th as the Miami-Dade Police Benevolent Association's officer of the year.
The association says the 55-year old's swift actions prevented an explosion that could have impacted Miami International Airport which was nearby.
Gutierrez was stabbed several times with a knife with an 8-inch blade and a screwdriver.
Cell phone video captured the suspect, Dominique Jean, on October 29, 2013, attacking Gutierrez after he set fire to an underground gasoline tank.
Gutierrez had been on patrol as a motorcycle officer when he took action at the Shell station on Lejeune Road.
He was forced to fire his weapon, killing Jean.
Gutierrez had said modestly that he was just doing his job and trying to take a criminal off the street.
Last Monday, in Washington D.C., Gutierrez was given the top cop award by the National Association of Police Organizations.
CBS4's Peter D'Oench will have more on the story on Monday, May 19th on CBS4 News.