* US *
2010-05-21 14:27:33 UTC
Phoenix Police Officer Robert Sitek was shot four times 4/12/03
during a traffic stop altercation with an illegal alien that became
violent. Sitek and his partner David Thwing were on routine patrol
when a red truck cut off their squad car, and when the officers
stopped the truck the driver began shooting. Officer Sitek was in
cardiac arrest by the time he reached the hospital and lost a
considerable amount of blood. Shooter Francisco A. Gallardo was a
"Mexican citizen who had recently completed a seven-year prison term
for aggravated assault." He had been deported after his release but
had returned to Arizona. Gallardo was shot and killed as he tried to
escape by Officer Thwing.
Medical Update, June 5, 2003: Officer Rob Sitek has had a slow but
gradually successful recovery from injuries that surely would have
been fatal to most. At nearly two months after the shooting, he has
pulled out of a three-week coma, is still unable to walk but is
determined to do so and eventually return to work.
during a traffic stop altercation with an illegal alien that became
violent. Sitek and his partner David Thwing were on routine patrol
when a red truck cut off their squad car, and when the officers
stopped the truck the driver began shooting. Officer Sitek was in
cardiac arrest by the time he reached the hospital and lost a
considerable amount of blood. Shooter Francisco A. Gallardo was a
"Mexican citizen who had recently completed a seven-year prison term
for aggravated assault." He had been deported after his release but
had returned to Arizona. Gallardo was shot and killed as he tried to
escape by Officer Thwing.
Medical Update, June 5, 2003: Officer Rob Sitek has had a slow but
gradually successful recovery from injuries that surely would have
been fatal to most. At nearly two months after the shooting, he has
pulled out of a three-week coma, is still unable to walk but is
determined to do so and eventually return to work.