Riverside Officer Wounded In Dorner Killing Spree Escaped Death Last Year
WEST COVINA (CBSLA.com) — The 27-year-old Riverside police officer who was injured last week in Christopher Dorner's alleged killing spree survived another brush with death just last year.
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Andrew Tachias and his partner, 34-year-old Officer Michael Crain, were shot around 1:30 a.m. Feb. 7 while they were stopped at a traffic signal in Riverside.
Authorities believe Dorner, who was killed Tuesday following a standoff with officers, fired several rounds into their patrol car.
Crain, an 11-year veteran, died at the scene.
Tachias was shot several times. He's currently in stable condition at a Riverside hospital.
Anthony Tachias, the victim's father and a lieutenant with the LA County Sheriff's Department, said his worst fears came true when he found out his son was hurt in the ambush attack.
"I got the phone call at about 5 a.m. We were shocked. This can't be happening," he said. "There aren't any words to describe it. It's just mind-boggling."
Anthony said the shooting, however, wasn't the first time his son was almost killed or injured in the line of duty.
During Tachias' time with the Inglewood Police Department, a suspected car thief opened fire on him and his partner.
His partner was shot in the leg, but Tachias escaped unharmed.
"It was emotionally and psychologically difficult to deal with, being shot at…despite that, he wanted to continue to pursue this," said Anthony.
Last December, Tachias joined the Riverside Police Department and was eventually paired with Crain.
Although the partners were only together for three weeks, Anthony said the veteran left a lasting mark on his son.
"His impression of him was…what a solid man. What a decent, hardworking, ethical man. Someone anyone would want to emulate, so this is devastating," he said.
