HEMPSTEAD, NY – Officials say a police officer’s bulletproof vest helped save his life during a shootout early Friday morning in Hempstead.
It happened around 3:22 a.m. Friday at the corner of Washington and Cooper streets.
Hempstead Police Chief Joseph Wing says police officers became involved in a chase with two suspects following some robberies in the area.
One of the suspects traded shots with the officers. One cop was struck twice, once in the arm and once in the back. The shot that struck the officer in the back was stopped by his bulletproof vest, Wing said.
“I didn’t speak to him directly about the vest, but I’m sure he’s very thankful that the vest saved his life,” said Wing.
The officer was taken to Mercy Hospital where he was treated and released. One suspect was also shot twice and was taken to Nassau County Medical Center.
“The suspect is likely to live. The officer is also not in life-threatening condition,” Nassau County police Lt. Kevin Smith told WCBS 880′s Sophia Hall.
Wing said the officer is young and relatively new to the Hempstead police force.
A second suspect is being questioned. Police are still investigating.
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