SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- For the first time, we're hearing from firefighters who put their own lives on the line the same day, Detectives Butch Baker and Elizabeth Butler were killed.
Battalion Chief Mike Venezio said while no one in the department was physically hurt, all firefighters who responded to the shooting scene have been hurt emotionally over what happened."This is probably the worst thing in my career that I've ever experienced," said Venezio.
Two Santa Cruz fire crews were initially called out on February 26th after police said two people had been shot along Branciforte Drive.
Firefighters who arrived on scene also spotted the officer shooting suspect, Jeremy Goulet and by their actions helped protect several civilians from getting hurt. "There was no doubt our citizens and ourselves were in harms way," said Venezio.
Firefighter paramedics tried to save the two victims but Captain Jerry Freeman said by the time they got there to help, it was too late. "At first I heard somebody said they're both cops. Then I heard somebody say it's Butler and Baker," said Freeman. The fire crews had to clear out because the scene was still not secure and suspect still on the loose until Freeman spotted him. "Really the only reason I noticed him I think was because he parked funny," said Freeman. Firefighters shouted for people close by to get down and said anyone could have been a target. "I remember sort of re-stating you need to go now unless you want to get shot." said Freeman. Jerry ran to get police then there was another shootout. "I felt like he heard me because as soon as I said that it was as if he knew okay there is going to be a gunfight. I think he got the first shots off," said Freeman. Firefighters said four of the suspect's bullets hit their fire trucks.
Then Clayton Ogden spotted a woman who tripped on the curb falling to the ground unable to move. Ogden said he shielded her until the gunfire stopped. "The second seemed like a barrage of gunfire, she started to get up again and I said no stay down stay down. That seemed like an eternity," said Ogden.
Firefighters said Police and the SWAT team gunned down Goulet and no one else was injured.
Since the shooting, firefighters say they've had a lot of counseling and continue to get grief support. Both fire crews attended the memorial for the fallen officers.
