Injured San Jose police officer released from hospital – NBC Bay Area

A San Jose police officer has been released from the hospital after being seriously injured in a shooting last month.

Officer Jaime Arredondo is one of the officers who responded to a call in the Santa Teresa neighborhood on May 2.

Arredondo was released from Santa Clara Valley Medical Center on Friday. San Jose police officers applauded as he left the hospital in a wheelchair. This came about a month after a shooting at a hotel in the Santa Teresa neighborhood of San Jose left Arredondo critically injured.

“His strength and character make recovery easier than anyone else. But no question. I mean, he was seriously injured and is working on his injuries,” said acting San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph.

On May 2, San Jose police officers responded to a call from a hotel employee on behalf of a mother who said a man she knew was knocking on her door.

According to police, a bodycam photo shows officers confronting 33-year-old Kevin Briones in the hotel’s third-floor hallway. There, Briones reached into a duffel bag, pulled out a stolen gun and fired at officers.

Two officers were injured in the shooting, including Officer Joseph Derocshes, who suffered moderate injuries and was quickly released from the hospital. Arredondo, on the other hand, has spent the last five weeks in the hospital recovering.

Briones had a long criminal history and there were two arrest warrants against him.

According to police, a mother and three children were in the hotel room. Joseph said at the time that the stolen gun that Briones was carrying was intended for them.

“These officers were out there that day, willing to give their all and risk their lives for people they didn’t even know,” he said.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan shook Arredondo’s hand as he left the hospital. Mahan released the following statement on social media Friday evening:

“Welcome home, officer!

Officer Arredondo saved a mother and her children last month, sacrificing his own safety to protect the community. 5 weeks and 3 surgeries later, he is on the mend. We will be thinking of him and praying for him as he recovers and returns to duty.

Thank you @SanJosePD for all you do – we are grateful.”

After the May shooting, Joseph said it highlighted the epidemics facing the city, including illegal gun ownership and the violence officers face. He added that in the past 15 months, 12 officers in the department have been shot, five of whom were struck by gunfire.

Joseph said they are working with law enforcement partners on a study. He told NBC Bay Area that Arrendondo keeps telling them he can’t wait to get back out there and protect the San Jose community.

“To find out why we have been so often victims of violent attacks here in San Jose, especially with firearms,” Joseph said.