"Those officers became targets, just like I did:" After Dallas, Glendale officer opens up about shootout

“Those officers became targets, just like I did:” After Dallas, Glendale officer opens up about shootout

GLENDALE -- A Glendale police officer injured in a shootout last summer spoke with FOX6 News on Saturday, July 9th for the first time. After a car chase, the officer was ambushed by a man with an assault rifle. Days after the sniper attack in Dallas that killed five officers and left seven others hurt, along with two citizens, Glendale Police Officer Eric Guse offered his perspective.

Guse said the events of August 1st, 2015 remain with him every day. He said watching what happened on Friday, July 7th in Dallas brought everything to the forefront.

Glendale Police Officer Eric Guse

"It`s a day I`m always going to remember," Guse said.

When Guse went to work on August 1st, 2015, he never expected his day would end the way it did.

"I think about it a lot," Guse said.

Concours Motors

A call for a carjacking came in a couple hours before his shift began. Police say Deandre Wise had stolen a Porsche during a test drive.

Guse spotted the vehicle on I-43.

"A Porsche went by -- 90...95 miles-per-hour," Guse said.

A short chase began -- ending at 14th and Burleigh. Wise ran from the stolen vehicle with an assault rifle, toward a playground.

Officer-involved shooting (Glendale police officer & suspect injured)

"Got out of my car, told him to stop, drop it. He didn`t listen," Guse said.

Wise had hidden behind a small building. Guse followed closely behind.

"He laid down on his back and was ready to ambush me. The minute I came around that corner, he shot 13 times," Guse said.

Shrapnel cut Guse's head and a bullet grazed his cheek.

"Blood starting coming down over my right eye. I couldn`t see. I thought I`d been shot," Guse said.

Deandre Wise from Glendale Police Officer Eric Guse's dashcam video

The officer fired back -- hitting Wise in his leg.

Glendale Police Officer Eric Guse drops his cell phone as he's chasing Deandre Wise

"The guy just tried to kill me, but it turns into...I`ve got to take care of him. 'Are you hurt? Are you injured? Are you shot?' Guse said.

Wise survived.

Wise in May was sentenced to serve 33 years in prison and another 13 years of extended supervision.

Deandre Wise

Wise pleaded guilty in February to amended charges of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, use of a dangerous weapon and operating a vehicle without owner's consent.

Officer-involved shooting (Glendale police officer & suspect injured)

Guse said he hasn't stopped thinking about that August day in 2015.

"It's eight minutes that changed my life drastically," Guse said.

Guse said in the days after the tragedy in Dallas -- he was thinking of the families of the five officers who lost their lives.

"My heart goes out to everyone involved," Guse said.

PHOTO GALLERY

Guse said he hopes there's more understanding of the tough job police officers have to do.

"Those officers in Dallas didn`t have a chance. They became targets, just like I did that day," Guse said.

Guse suffered minor injuries in the incident on August 1st. He said he likes to open up about that day -- not only as a way to heal, but also, to let others in uniform know that it can happen to anyone at anytime.