Officer Involved: Federico Rodriguez
send this to your aunt who hates cops
What police officers might have to do on any given shift.
The under-appreciated performance on the most important stage.
This is one of those cases.
Send this to someone you know who wants to defund the police or dispatch “community activists” to in-progress felonies.
If this doesn’t cause them to question their opinions - nothing will.
What Happened
On June 9th, 2025 just after 12:30 a.m. Los Angeles County deputies were dispatched to a residence in Lynwood, California in reference to a residential burglary call.
Upon arrival on scene deputies learned that an offender (later identified as Federico Rodriguez) had forced entry into the residence and was still inside with the victim. Deputies looked through a window and observed Federico holding a pair of scissors and developed a tactical plan to rescue the victim and arrest the offender.
As deputies began to break-out a bedroom window they heard a scream from inside the residence.
Deputies then (not only forced entry through the window) but also broke down the front door. Deputies then raced towards the screams and found a horrifying scene in the hallway.
Use of Force
Deputies observed Federico on his knees stabbing a knife into the victim who was curled up on her side and fighting for her life. Less then a second after laying eyes on the heinous sight a deputy fired multiple times at Federico as he was in the process of murder.
Federico was struck multiple times and the stabbing ceased immediately. The victim was pulled to safety and Federico died from his injuries.
Analysis
Federico was stabbing the victim with a knife and the deputy fired his handgun multiple times in response.
There was an immediate deadly threat and the deputy utilized deadly force to stop it.
The use of deadly force would be within every use of force law imaginable.
Items
Warning
The deputy did not provide Federico with a “warning” before deadly force was utilized. In general police officers only have to provide a warning “if feasible”. Since, even a half-second delay by the deputy could have equated to another stab wound suffered by the victim - the decision to immediately save the victim’s life was the proper one.
Once the stabbing starts - the time to de-escalate has passed.
Red Dot
People have commented on the “laser” that was mounted on the deputy’s firearm. This “red dot sight” has become increasingly popular with law enforcement agencies in recent years. Red dot sight technology helps to improve accuracy and is even standard issue by many police academies for new officers.
The Training
The deputy fired multiple rounds at Federico - striking him and not the victim (who was just inches away). This result was not a coincidence. This is a deputy who takes his job and the lives of the people in the community seriously.
Would you trust yourself to be as accurate in this scenario?
Dear Aunt Carol…
This case may not completely change your mind about policing or police officers. I am sure that there is some case you saw online that bothers you or an instance from 15 years ago where a rude cop issued you a ticket. I get it.
We are just asking that you look at this case as an example of what police officers prepare to do and may have to do every time they come to work.
If you were being stabbed by a rabid burglar - how rude the responding cop was would be insignificant to him/her taking immediate action to save your life. And, at it’s purest, that’s what policing is - a force for good that combats the truly dangerous elements of society.
Final Thoughts
There is still a need for the warrior culture in policing. No one calls a social worker to kill a monster.
Thanks be to God that this officer was Trained, qualified, and ready to take a life in order to save a life ! He is a hero standing in the gap between good and evil.
Great job, thank you deputy.