Deputy speaks publicly as recovery continues

A Volusia County sheriff’s deputy who was shot while responding to a call in Deltona is now speaking publicly about the attack and his recovery. According to ClickOrlando, Deputy Jose Rivera said his body camera likely helped save his life when one of the rounds struck the device mounted on his chest during the March shooting.

Rivera told reporters he is grateful to still be with his family and expects to make a full recovery. Investigators said he was shot three times after he and a trainee responded to a home to question a suspect connected to an earlier call. Authorities say the suspect, identified as Luis Diaz Polanco, opened fire after briefly retreating inside the house.

Why the case matters across Volusia County

While the shooting happened outside Edgewater, it is a major public-safety story for residents across Volusia County because it involves the sheriff’s office that serves many county communities. The case has also drawn attention because investigators were able to recover footage from the damaged body camera, offering a clearer picture of what happened during the encounter.

Sheriff’s officials have said the camera appears to have prevented an even more serious chest wound. Rivera described the experience as humbling and said watching the recovered video brought back the emotions of that day. He also said the support of the community has helped motivate him during recovery.

Return to duty and next steps

Rivera is returning to light duty this week, according to the report, with that assignment expected to last about a month. After that, he is expected to move into a K-9 handler role on the sheriff’s office Crime Suppression Team. That detail signals that, despite the seriousness of the shooting, Rivera is planning to continue his law-enforcement career.

The suspect remains charged in the case, and the incident continues to move through the court system. For Edgewater readers, the story is less about a neighborhood crime scene and more about the risks deputies face countywide, the role of body-worn cameras in documenting violent encounters, and the recovery of an officer who survived a close-range shooting.

What Edgewater readers should know

There is no indication in the report of any direct threat to Edgewater tied to this case. Still, the update is significant because it concerns the broader Volusia County public-safety system and a deputy’s return to service after a high-profile shooting. It also underscores how quickly routine calls can turn dangerous for first responders.

Bottom line: this is a timely county public-safety update with clear relevance for Edgewater residents who follow sheriff’s office activity, court developments, and law-enforcement response across Volusia County.