The LA Times report also includes a video clip of a news item on this, including the deputy's sister and family expressing their views about the shot deputy.
The deputy was a 27 year old Somali immigrant to the USA, and was a Muslim.
"You have two very different extremes," Sheriff Lee Baca said Wednesday, reflecting on the random encounter.
Baca said he saw Ahmed as a future leader in the Sheriff's Department, noting that his Muslim background could help build bridges. He said Ahmed believed in the "American dream" and preached religious tolerance, volunteering his time at local Islamic community centers and doing outreach for the Sheriff's Department with the Muslim community.
...
"By all accounts, the deputy injured in the incident is an extraordinary young individual, the kind of deputy sheriff we all want to see serving Los Angeles County residents and businesses," said Steve Remige, director of the L.A. County deputy's union. "We're hopeful of his quick recovery."
Baca said people who worked with Ahmed were impressed by his work ethic and his willingness to volunteer his time to help with Muslim community outreach.
"He's an ideal ambassador," the sheriff said. "The thing we are proud of is he can serve as law enforcement, protecting people, defending people and putting himself at risk of his life, as this incident proves."
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me ... 2933.story
