Deputy Injured In Shooting Honored Upon Release From Hospital

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Deputy Alex Spencer, who was injured during the June 6 Ben Lomond shooting, received a heartwarming welcome this weekend upon his release from the hospital.

The ambush attack on officers that day fatally wounded Sheriff's Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller, and left Spencer and another officer with injuries, the sheriff's office said.

Spencer was shot, hit with shrapnel from an explosive, and hit by the gunman's car as he fled the scene, the sheriff's office said. His bulletproof vest stopped the bullet, but he was still injured.

Spencer, a K-9 deputy, was greeted this weekend by rows of applauding law enforcement officers on either side of him as he was wheeled out of the hospital. He held a plaque honoring his service in one hand as his colleagues greeted him with hugs and gifts.

"Welcome home," dispatchers said over the radio upon Spencer's release. "The courage you showed on Saturday, June 6 was amazing and you saved many lives. You are our hero."

Spencer responded: "Thank you to everybody up there and everybody that came. Everybody: thank you so much."

A procession followed Spencer as he exited the hospital grounds. His colleagues lined up to salute him and say farewell.

Spencer will recover at home with his wife and son.

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign set up to support Spencer and his family during his recovery had raised nearly $70,000 as of Monday morning.

A fundraising campaign to support Gutzwiller's family had raised more than $630,000 as of Monday morning.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

See more:

• Vigil Mourns Damon Gutzwiller, Santa Cruz Deputy Killed In Ambush
• Accused Attacker Charged In Ambush On Santa Cruz Deputies
• Santa Cruz Co. Deputy Killed In Ben Lomond Shooting, Explosions