SAN DIEGO - A San Diego police officer critically wounded last month in a Southcrest-area shootout that killed his partner was released from hospital care, police officials announced Tuesday.
Wade Irwin, a nine-year member of the San Diego Police Department, was discharged from a trauma center Saturday night, SDPD spokesman Lt. Scott Wahl said.
SDPD officials said: "We are pleased to announce Office Wade Irwin was released from the hospital on Saturday night … He and his family are thankful for all of the support and well wishes. During his recovery, however, his family and friends have asked for privacy and are declining to do media interviews."
The 32-year-old officer and fellow gang-unit Officer Jonathan "J.D." De Guzman were conducting a field stop on Acacia Grove Way when they came under fire about 11 p.m. on July 28.
De Guzman, 43, was mortally wounded and died a short time later. Irwin, though shot in the neck, was able to return fire and radio for help.
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The man accused of shooting the officers, 52-year-old ex-con Jesse Michael Gomez, was critically wounded in the exchange of gunfire. On Aug. 2, he pleaded not guilty from his hospital bed to charges of murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
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Gomez also faces a special-circumstance allegation of murder of a police officer, making him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
The defendant's next court hearing, a status conference, is scheduled for Sept. 1.
