MIAMI – The Miami-Dade police officer who was stabbed Tuesday may be released from the hospital this week, according to doctors at Ryder Trauma Center.
Officer Mario Gutierrez underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition. Fellow motormen came by the hospital Thursday to show their support.
"Mario's in great spirits, thank God. We're all praying for him, we're praying for his family," said Miami-Dade Police Officer Marcos De Rosa. "When he can do something good for somebody, he does it."
The incident happened at the Shell gas station at 2501 NW 42nd Avenue about 7:19 p.m. Gutierrez, 54, was patrolling near Miami International Airport, police say, when he approached a suspicious man, who was identified as 51-year-old Dominique Jean.
Jean lifted a cap off an underground gas tank and tried setting it ablaze, police say. When Gutierrez stopped him, Jean stabbed him several times with a screwdriver and a knife.
"Unfortunately, when we put this uniforms on every day and leave our houses and leave our families, we realize that [there's] the possibility of us having to confront an individual like Mario had to confront," said De Rosa.
Gutierrez tried tasering Jean but his Taser malfunctioned. He then shot and killed Jean.
Gutierrez suffered wounds to his arm, leg, back, and chest, and Jean also tried biting off his thumb, police say. Coworkers quickly rushed him to the hospital.
"This was a very tragic situation," said De Rosa. "I think Mario did whatever he had to do to protect the community."
Gutierrez has worked for the department for about 21 years and is assigned to the Motors Unit at the Airport District. A car wash benefitting him will be held Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the west parking lot of police headquarters, 9105 NW 25 St.,
Doral.
Jean was arrested last December for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which were later dropped.