FHP troopers, LCSO deputies awarded for actions after deputy was shot

Deputies and troopers were honored for putting their lives at risk to save others on Wednesday.

In March, Deputy Rafael Jaquez was shot after deputies stopped a car with the wrong tags in Lehigh Acres, and the suspect opened fire.

Days later, Jaquez was released from the hospital and given a promotion to detective.

Detective Jaquez remembers the people who saved his life, and on Wednesday, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno rewarded them for their heroic efforts.

The Florida Highway Patrol troopers involved received life-saving awards, and the Lee County Sheriff’s deputies were awarded combat crosses. Detective Jaquez was handed the wounded deputy award.

Detective Jaquez will never forget the scene from March 17, 2022.

“I remember being in pain. I remember. You know, everyone responding to me, I remember seeing several deputies that I’m familiar with,” said Jaquez.

That was the day Jaquez encountered a do-or-die situation. A grandmother driving a blue Chevy Equinox ran through a stop sign. Eventually, the driver pulled over at SR-82 and Gunnery Road.

Jaquez said he immediately recognized the passenger as Tyler James Phillips, who was involved in several crimes. It turns out that the vehicle he was in had stolen tags.

“I can guarantee you he wasn’t thinking he was going to be in a shooting two minutes later. That business changes so fast. And we train and train and train because how you train is how you perform,” said Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno.

Marceno said when Jaquez and another deputy tried to get Phillips out of the car to investigate, he refused, cursed, and told his grandmother to drive away.

Phillips then reached underneath his passenger seat, grabbed a handgun, and fired at least two times in Jaquez’s direction. Then he swung open the car door and ran to the sidewalk, pointing his weapon at Jaquez again and firing.

This time, the first round struck Jaquez’s elbow. Jaquez met deadly force with deadly force and fired back.

“I’ve never been in that type of situation. I’ve been in other situations, but not me, you know, being shot and shooting back and all that, but it was tough. You know, I got through it. And I learned from it, you know, and I’m moving forward,” said Jaquez.

“Thank God that suspect is no longer with us and can’t commit any deadly force against anyone else,” said Marceno.

Deputies watched Phillips collapse near a sloped embankment. He did not survive. His grandmother, who was in the car, was not injured.

WINK News called Phillips’ grandmother. She said she doesn’t remember much from that day.

As for Jaquez, FHP troopers rushed in to help him, wrapped him in a tourniquet, and got him to Gulf Coast Medical Center.

Jaquez is officially back at work and testing out his new title; detective.