FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
A typical night on the job ended in one California Highway Patrol Officer being shot and the men who did it on the loose Sunday night.
"This was a shock to all of our offices," Officer Sean Duncan, California Highway Patrol, said.
The officer was checking speeds with his radar gun when the SUV drove by him, made a U-turn, crossed over the yellow line and then came back over to him. A passenger inside pulled out a gun and fired.
"Anytime something like this happens to one of our own, definitely our senses get a little peaked and we pay more attention," Duncan said.
The officer was hit in his hand and his chest.
"Thank God he was wearing his vest, which stopped that bullet. The officer amazingly drew his weapon, returned fire, hit the vehicle several times," Assistant Chief Brian Smith, California Highway Patrol, said.
But the SUV got away.
The CHP is using signs along freeways to alert drivers up and down the state that the SUV could be in their area.
They say it could be your tip that helps catch the guys responsible.
"Somebody somewhere knows something about this," Duncan said.
It's called a "Blue Alert." It's similar to an Amber Alert. But instead of alerting drivers to look for a missing child, it shows information about the car and/or people involved with a crime against an officer.
"Anything can happen. It reminds you, you know, we always say goodbye to our loved ones, we kiss our wives or our husbands, we kiss our children. We know we put ourselves in harm's way and may not be coming home that night. My goal is to come home every night," Duncan said.
CHP officers don't have much of a description for the people responsible.
But they do want the public to be on the look-out for a dark blue SUV, possibly a Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon, with 24-inch chrome rims and low profile tires.
The SUV's rear left cargo window was shot out and may have bullet holes on the left side.
