ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County deputy was shot in the line of duty early Friday morning after responding to a stabbing, according to the sheriff's office.
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Two deputies, Daniel Shapiro and Hector Lopez, responded to Betty's Laughing Horse Tavern on Goldenrod Road (see map) just before 3:00am, in reference to a man being chased by another man with a knife, according to the sheriff's office.
When deputies arrived, they said they found a tavern employee suffering from stab wounds and began treating him for his injuries. An armed man, who officials believe had stabbed the employee, began threatening the deputies.
"He was trying to protect my bar, that's what he was after. He's a good guy," said tavern owner, Betty Kelly.
The sheriff's office said there was a confrontation and gunfire was exchanged between 31-year-old Jason L. Greene and the two deputies. Deputy Shapiro, 27, was hit in the chest, but his bulletproof vest did its job.
Greene was shot and killed.
"This is a day when it looks like the good guys won," said Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings during a news briefing on Friday. "The deputy is doing well it appears he was shot at lest one time this morning and bullet proof vest likely saved his life."
The sheriff's office said Shapiro had non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center. He was released just before 6:30am on Friday.
The 59-year-old tavern employee, Clarence W. Hadler, was also transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center and is in stable condition.
Kelly said she was shocked by the incident and she's still trying to figure out exactly what happened.
"I tell you what this bar has never ever, I've kept it police good. The cops don't come to my place, they don't, when they do they're surprised. Maybe three times in the 27 years, maybe four times," said Kelly.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating. The sheriff's office is also conducting its own internal investigation.
Demings said Friday that he is alarmed by a recent spike in violence against deputies and officers.
In December, Deputy Brandon Coates was gunned down on South Orange Blossom Trail by a convicted criminal during a traffic stop.
The suspect later took his own life. That shooting was just one of at least ten recent confrontations where Central Florida law enforcement officers were attacked and forced to use their weapons.
Back in June, a Sanford police officer survived a shooting, thanks to his bullet proof vest.
WFTV
