Broward County

Town of Pembroke Park honors BSO deputy shot in the head 18 years ago

By Shira Moolten South Florida Sun Sentinel
Former Broward Sheriff’s deputy Maury Hernandez is congratulated after he was recognized with a resolution by the Town of Pembroke Park on Wednesday. Hernandez was shot in the head nearly 20 years ago while trying to conduct a routine traffic stop while working as a deputy assigned to the city.
Former Broward Sheriff’s deputy Maury Hernandez is congratulated after he was recognized with a resolution by the Town of Pembroke Park on Wednesday. Hernandez was shot in the head nearly 20 years ago while trying to conduct a routine traffic stop while working as a deputy assigned to the city. Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel

The town of Pembroke Park is honoring a Broward Sheriff’s deputy who was shot in the head while conducting a traffic stop there over 18 years ago — a shooting that the Sheriff’s Office said never should have happened.

The Town Commission elected to name Aug. 6 “Deputy Maury Hernandez Day.” Hernandez was presented with the town’s proclamation at the commission meeting on Wednesday night, standing alongside Chief of Police Daniel L. DeCoursey.

It was on that day in 2007 when 28-year-old Hernandez saw David Maldonado run a stop sign on a motorcycle in Pembroke Park. Hernandez pulled him over, but Maldonado falsely identified himself as a police officer, then pushed him and ran away. During a foot chase, he turned around and shot at Hernandez twice. One of the bullets struck Hernandez in the head.

Read the full story at Sun-Sentinel.com.

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