All MPD patrol officers required to wear bullet resistant vests: The armor saved Officer Baranowski's life

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Police Officer Brandon Baranowski was released from Froedtert Hospital on Wednesday, July 20th after treatment for a gunshot wound. He left the hospital with his family at his side -- and salutes from fellow officers on the Milwaukee Police Department as well as friends.

Baranowski was shot and injured while on the scene of a domestic violence related call early Sunday, July 17th.

He was seated alone in his patrol car when a suspect, now identified as 20-year-old Tomas Uriegas, approached on foot and fired a gun into the squad, striking the officer five times. Two bullets pierced his arm. Two were wedged in his bullet resistant vest and another grazed his face.

Roughly a half-hour later, a gunshot was heard near where this incident took place. Uriegas was found -- he had shot and killed himself.

Baranowski's injuries could have been much worse had two of the bullets fired at him actually penetrated his skin. Baranowski's bullet resistant vest saved his life.

In the moments after this shooting, officers responded to the crime scene near 17th and Morgan wearing body armor, much like the armor that saved their colleague's life.

"He was saved by his vest, basically. He was shot more than once and sustained some injuries that require surgery but he was shot in his vest at least one or two times and the vest saved his life," said William Jessup, MPD assistant chief earlier this week.

After his release from the hospital, Baranowski is now recovering at home. He was shot twice in the arm, and another bullet grazed his face.

Two bullets hit his protective vest. They were fired at his chest.

"When I was a young officer, 150 officers a year were getting murdered. We didn't have body armor," Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said.

Flynn on Wednesday said he was grateful to see an officer saluted outside a hospital, vs. outside a church.

"It's indisputable that the Kevlar vest has saved thousands of police lives in assaults as well as in accidents," Flynn said.

In early May, another Milwaukee police officer survived a shot to the chest during a shootout with an armed robber.

Law enforcement officials with the Milwaukee Police Department, the West Milwaukee Police Department, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, the Marquette University Police Department and the Milwaukee Fire Department and otheres were there Wednesday to show support to Officer Baranowski and his family as he was released from the hospital.

It's support that will no doubt help him as he continues to recover.

"Our officer here today absolutely will need some recuperation time, he will need some family time and some continual support. This type of an effort here makes a difference in that recovery," Mike Crivello, president of the Milwaukee Police Association said.

It is Milwaukee Police Department policy that all patrol officers wear a bullet resistant vest.

A recent study found that nearly 30 percent of departments across the country do not require armor to be worn at all times.