When a rookie police found himself drawing his gun to save his partners life, he rose to meet a tremendous challenge. This week, Officer Marcus Pesquera of the San Bernardino police has been named the 2015 NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.
It was Aug. 22, 2014, when Pesquera and his veteran partner, Field Training Officer Gabe Garcia, observed a group drinking around a car. Pesquera told The Sun, “It was a bumpy, unpaved road when we saw a car with its lights on and people just hanging out.” As the officers approached, one in the group opened fire with a rifle. Pesquera recalls, “I went to the ground to gain cover as I was taking fire.” With his partner wounded, Pesquera returned fire, killing their attacker. NRA President Allan D. Cors noted, “His heroic actions ended a deadly assault and allowed first responders to safely and quickly reach Officer Garcia to perform vital life-saving measures.”
