Hospitalized Covina Officer Shows Great Improvement

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - A police officer put in a medically-induced coma while he recovered from injuries sustained in a pursuit crash is showing great signs of improvement.

Officer Jesse Gutierrez is now able to communicate with hospital staff and loved ones, according to Covina Police Chief David Povero in a weekend update on social media.

Speaking about Gutierrez’s recovery, Povero added “There were times when it was touch and go and we’re grateful for the steadfast support within our department, within our city staff, the city council, the community of Covina and our partners in law enforcement and also the support the medical teams that have been by the Gutierrez family’s side.”

Officer Jesse Gutierrez was dispatched around 4 a.m. May 6 to investigate a disturbance call in the 500 block of South Eremland Drive. Gutierrez located a vehicle connected to the disturbance and attempted to speak to the driver, but the driver refused to exit the vehicle and fled. Gutierrez gave chase, but crashed and was seriously injured at Rowland Street and Shoppers Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers providing back up, continued to pursue the driver until the pursuit ended on the I-10 Freeway at Vincent Avenue. Alexis Santiago Avila, 27, was arrested.

Gutierrez’s K9 partner was in the police vehicle during the crash. The K9 was examined and is doing fine while being cared for by other Covina officers, Povero said.

Gutierrez has been with the department for more than four years and is a newly-appointed K9 handler. He is married and has a 5-year-old son and 1-year-old son. He obtained the rank of sergeant while serving overseas with the Marine Corps, Povero said.

The Peace Officers Research Association of California, in association with the Covina Police officers Association, is collecting donations to aid Gutierrez’s wife Beverly and his sons. The effort has a $50,000 goal and has raised nearly $40,000 so far.

Donate at the following link: DONATE NOW