GA Officer Saved by Vest

A Columbus, GA, police officer injured Friday during a burglary investigation was shot in the vest, which deflected the bullet and protected him from more serious injury, reports the Ledger-Enquirer .

Officer Joshua McQuien is listed as the victim in the 1:22 p.m. shooting at 3312 Hilton Ave. where his ballistic vest deflected one of the shots fired by burglary suspect Daniel Ray Crisp, 34. Crisp is held without bond in the Muscogee County Jail where he now faces an aggravated assault on a police officer charge for a 9 a.m. Thursday hearing in Recorder's Court.

A bullet struck the officer's vest while he was searching an upstairs bedroom and saw a flash. Police have not said how many shots were fired, but McQuien was hit once in the left shoulder area. He was treated at Midtown Medical Center and later released.

Police Chief Ricky Boren said McQuien has been with the department about three years. He said the bullet didn't penetrate the officer's skin but left the officer with a bruise.

Crisp was taken into custody at 6 p.m., more than four hours later when police tossed tear gas inside the home and forced the suspect from a hiding place. "It was very uncomfortable with him in the house with the gas," the chief said. "Fortunately, he came out."