Lawmakers are considering relief legislation for the congressman who survived an avoidable shooting

PEMBROKE PARK, Florida. – Maury Henandez’s life changed on August 7, 2007. Chaos reigned when the young deputy from the Broward Sheriff’s Office asked for help after a bullet pierced the right side of his brain.

Hernandez survived, but not without suffering and agony. He underwent surgery and underwent eye rehabilitation.

At 43, he faces paralysis along the left side of his body with positive self-talk, but sometimes the memories still haunt him.

“The flash of the gun is something I think about all the time.”

Hernandez is the subject of the Justice Department’s exoneration of Maury Hernandez, allowing lawmakers to review his case and allocate $10 million for the damages, which he said could have been prevented.

Hernandez stopped a speeder, David Maldonado, who was lying and running as he pulled out a .45 caliber handgun and shot Hernandez.

Turns out he should never have driven and since he was a parolee, he shouldn’t have had a gun, Hernandez said.

Police officers arrested Maldonado, a common traffic offender who was charged with traffic offenses on April 18, 2007. Hernandez said there are errors that the Justice Department attributes to an inexperienced probation officer with a large number of cases.

“You feel betrayed,” Hernandez said.

As a deputy, he said he felt his teammates worked in the department and believed everyone was on the same page, but he was wrong.

Hernandez said he believes that “everyone will have each other’s back and not make such an outright mistake.”

His law enforcement career ended almost 16 years ago. He attempted to return to work but was unable to meet minimum standards.

If the legislature passes the relief bill, Gov. Ron DeSantis must also sign it.

read the bill