GA Agency Honors Father and Son for Aiding Officer During Attack

Otto and Anderson Ortiz were in their home when they noticed their dog was barking at the window. That led them to realize the officer was being attacked outside.

Gwinnett County Police officials recognized Otto Ortiz, front right, and his son, Anderson. The father and son came to the aid of an officer under attack in July. (Photo: Gwinnett County PD)Gwinnett County Police officials recognized Otto Ortiz, front right, and his son, Anderson. The father and son came to the aid of an officer under attack in July. (Photo: Gwinnett County PD)

Gwinnett County, GA, Police Chief J.D. McClure recognized Otto Ortiz and his son, Anderson, last week during the Gwinnett Police Department’s Awards and Promotional Ceremony. The father and so came to the aid of an officer under attack in July.

The incident that prompted the Ortiz family to help an officer occurred on July 25 after an armed robbery at a Stop and Save in unincorporated Duluth, the Gwinnett Daily Post reports.

An officer found the suspect, Derrick Sutton, nearby and attempted to stop him. Sutton allegedly attacked the officer in response. The officer was alone when he stopped Sutton, who allegedly had a gun in his hand, and the officer's radio was damaged during the encounter so he could not call for backup.

Otto and Anderson Ortiz were in their home when they noticed their dog was barking at the window. That led them to realize the officer was being attacked outside.

"(They) rushed to help him with no thought towards their own safety," Sgt. Jennifer Richter said. "Otto Ortiz was able to get the gun away from Sutton and throw it out of reach. Both Otto and Anderson Ortiz helped restrain Sutton. Mr. Ortiz’s wife, Glenda Guerra, ran down the street to flag down additional responding officers, who arrested Sutton."

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