Backed by dozens of law enforcement officers, a disabled Broward County Sheriff’s deputy who has been seeking justice from the government for the 16 years since he was shot in the head while on duty, pleaded his case to a meeting of the Miami-Dade legislative delegation today.
When it was done, he and his colleagues received a lengthy ovation of supportive encouragement.
Maury Hernandez — who was shot with a gun that a state employee illegally allowed a convicted felon to carry — appeared before the local legislative delegation and respectfully implored them to support a bill being introduced in the upcoming 2024 session of the Florida Legislature.
In 2007, while in the middle of a separate investigation, Hernandez heroically pursued a speeding motorcyclist who he saw running red lights and endangering lives. When he confronted the criminal, the man turned and shot him in the head.
As it turned out, the shooter was on probation and was forbidden by Florida law and the court from carrying a gun. Despite admitting to a probation officer that he was carrying, nothing was done. That gun was used to shoot Maury Hernandez.
His life has been forever negatively impacted.
Despite miraculously surviving, Maury’s medical journey has been a nightmare. Three weeks in a coma and on a ventilator. Multiple brain surgeries. Two years in a rehab hospital. Bullet fragments lodged in his brain. He has been left with profound and permanent brain, physical and emotional injuries.
Now, Hernandez is trying once again to find the justice he has been denied for all these years.
“It would be an honor to have the support of this delegation,” Maury said to the legislators Tuesday. “It would be monumental to me.”
While a lot of politicians talk about “backing the Blue,” the Miami-Dade legislative delegation laudably agreed to hear Hernandez’ story and will have a chance to show their support for this true law enforcement hero.
In all, more than two dozen officers from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the International Union of Police Associations (I.U.P.A.) Local 6020 attended in support of Hernandez.
“We’re here today to not just ask you for support. We’re here to ask you guys to fight for this bill,’ said Matt Cowart of the I.U.P.A. “Fight for its passage. Do not leave his call for help to go unanswered.”
The bills to finally bring justice for Maury Hernandez are sponsored by state Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, and state Sen. Tom Wright, R-Port Orange.
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