A veteran sheriff’s deputy was shot in the face during a struggle in Desert Hot Springs on Friday night.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the officer was off-duty but in uniform and a marked patrol car when he stopped and approached a suspicious man at Camino Campesino and Avenida Florencita at 9:50 p.m. Friday.

A brief struggle took place, during which the man pulled out a handgun and shot the deputy in the face.

The 10-year veteran of the force was able to radio for assistance and was hospitalized in stable condition.

The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Javier Trani of Desert Hot Springs (pictured), was arrested in the 15000 block of Avenida Ramada. Trani will be booked for attempted murder of a police officer and parole vilations.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call (760) 836-1600.

– posted at 2:51 p.m by Cathy Maestri

Filed under Headline

Monday, September 1, 2008

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