HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Over 70 Hillsborough deputies were recognized for their service Wednesday afternoon.
Two deputies were honored for their brave actions in November — Deputies Vincent Valentine and Jose Torres. They responded to a call in Brandon where two of their fellow deputies were run over by a suspect.
The deputies said they were grateful to be honored, but explained they were just doing their job. Most of all, everyone was happy both deputies who were injured are now on their paths to recovery.
All four deputies involved said this incident solidified they’re not just colleagues, but they’re family.
Video from the incident in November showed the horrific scene that unfolded. Corporal Carlos Brito and Deputy Manny Santos responded to a 911 call from a mom who said her son, later identified as Ralph Bouzy, was acting irrational and violent.
Bouzy had left the scene in Brandon, but came back and is accused of running over Corporal Carlos Brito and Deputy Manny Santos. Deputy Vincent Valentine and Deputy Jose Torres responded. They arrested Bouzy and performed life-saving measures to both deputies who were injured. Wednesday they were honored for those brave actions.
“Christmas came early with both Deputy Manny Santos and Corporal Carlos Brito both on a path to full recovery,” Deputy Vincent Valentine said.
“I don’t feel heroic, I feel like I was just doing what I could do given the circumstances. Today I am beyond honored,” Deputy Torres said.
Corporal Brito and Deputy Santos thanked their colleagues during the awards ceremony.
Corporal Brito recorded a video from a rehab facility as doctors at Tampa General Hospital are doing their best to save his leg.
“I know I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them. Thank you very much for what you did,” Corporal Brito said in a video.
As for Deputy Santos, he was able to attend in person and said it was a special day. This was the first time three of the deputies were together in person since the incident.
“My pain went away. I couldn’t feel anything, I was kind of like in heaven. I was beyond excited and just hearing them call out their names, I was even more excited,” Deputy Santos said.
Deputy Santos said he plans to get back on the job. He explained the doctors estimate his recovery will be a year and a half, but he is pushing to get back in six months.
As for the suspect Ralph Bouzy, last week he was deemed incompetent to stand trial on two felony charges so he will go through a state treatment program for mental illness.