Vest Saved Texas Deputy Shot, Critically Wounded at Traffic Stop

An El Paso sheriff’s deputy was shot in the head during a traffic stop early Friday morning in San Elizario, TX, officials said. El Paso County Sheriff’s Office officials identified the deputy as Peter Herrera. Officials say body armor saved his life.

El Paso County Sheriff's investigations commander Robert Flores said Friday afternoon that the shooter fired at least five rounds, but that the vest stopped them from hitting vital areas of Herrera's body. Flores said Herrera was struck in the upper thigh and that his head was grazed, reports the Associated Press .

Herrera pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation at about 1:50 a.m. Friday in San Elizario, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

One of the people in the vehicle allegedly got out and fired several shots at Herrera, officials said. The suspects then fled but were apprehended nearby, reports the El Paso Times .

Herrera was struck several times including in the back of the head and taken to a hospital for treatment. He was in critical but stable condition and undergoing surgery, and was expected to survive, officials said Friday morning. El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles said the bullet did not enter the deputy's brain.

A sheriff's office commander on Friday identified the alleged shooter as 27-year-old Facundo Chavez.  A woman taken into custody with Chavez has been released, reports KVIA .