Front Page  »  

Updates on the five officers injured in Paso Robles manhunt

June 17, 2020

Kings County deputies greeting Deputy Blake Bursiaga as he returns to work

Law enforcement agencies have identified five officers who suffered injuries in the manhunt for a mentally ill gunman in Paso Robles last week, and provided updates on their conditions.

Four of the five officers were shot with bullets, while the fifth was hit by shrapnel. All five of the officers are expected to recover from their injuries.

Over the span of a day and a half, Mason James Lira, 26, shot a San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputy, an Arroyo Grand police officer, a California Highway Patrol officer and a Kings County Sheriff’s deputy. Lira was believed to have been schizophrenic and suffering from other mental conditions.

Deputy Nicholas Dreyfus

SLO County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Dreyfus was shot in the face after Lira ambushed the Paso Robles Police Department early in the morning on June 10. Dreyfus was then flown to a trauma center and underwent surgery for his injuries.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Dreyfus remains in serious but stable condition at an out-of-area hospital. Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla said Dreyfus has been showing improvement over the last few days, but it is unknown when he will be released to return to SLO County.

On the afternoon of June 11, Lira shot Arroyo Grande Police Sergeant Michael Smiley in the calf near Ramada Drive and Volpi Ysabel in Paso Robles.

Arroyo Grande Police Commander Mike Martinez told CalCoastNews Smiley is out of the hospital and recovering well. Martinez said Smiley has not yet returned to work, but the commander saw him on Tuesday and is expecting a full recovery.

Arroyo Grande Sergeant Michael Smiley

Members of the Jerk Pirates are hosting a barbecue fundraiser for Smiley on June 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the tent next to Finn’s Bar and Grill in Grover Beach.

As officers closed in on Lira, he shot CHP officer Tim Maxwell in the bullet proof vest. Lira then shot Kings County Sheriff’s Deputy Blake Bursiaga in the knee as the deputy was dragging the injured CHP officer to safety.

Maxwell, a 21-year-veteran with the CHP, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he received treatment and was released. Maxwell is currently recovering at home.

Bursiaga has already returned to work in limited capacity. On Tuesday, other Kings County deputies greeted Bursiaga in a sheriff’s office parking lot as he returned to the job.

Meanwhile, the CHP has identified the fifth officer injured in the manhunt as Isaac Clocherty, a 12-year veteran of the agency. A CHP spokesperson told CalCoastNews Clocherty was struck by shrapnel. Clocherty received treatment at the scene and was released, and he has since returned to full duty.

Deputy Blake Bursiaga with other Kings County deputies


Loading...
Related:


4 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

It’s great to hear that all of they officer’s are recovering. The physical recovery in a way can be seen. What about the mental stress of what happened, and the continued attacks on them all in general? I have had multiple conversations with officer’s over the last couple of weeks, including two family member’s. Most are very young men and women with families. Their families are under the same stress and worry that they are. There was one officer that told me his wife is constantly texting him while on duty making sure he is alright. He stated with tear’s in his eyes, that his wife has told him, “I don’t want you to go to in, please stay home”. How sad is that? It grieves my heart to know that these young people who chose a honorable career, worked hard to achieve it, now have this added burden to an already tremendously stressful job. I think about their parents and siblings as well. Please think about it being your son, daughter or sibling out there up against the hate and disrespect they are all facing right now. If you get a chance, thank them personally, let them know they are appreciated. The need it. My prayers are with them all. I hope yours are too.


27

So the person serving me a burger at the BBQ fundraiser might be the same “Jerk Pirate“ that disrespected the Grover Beach BLM protesters by being obnoxious during the moment of silence? Kudos for your truth in advertising…..but I’ll find another way to support the brave cops.


-43

It is okay to disrespect cops but not disrespect the disrespectors?


9

REALLY? These guys risk their lives every day so make can make asinine statements like that. Thank each and every one of them when you see them. It is because of them that we have a safe society.


13