A routine traffic stop turned into near-tragedy for one South African police officer when a passer-by shot him at point-blank range. When Alexander approaches the auto to get the driver’s information, the man with the cap reappears, this time with a gun.
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He appears to load the weapon before approaching the officer, who turns round just before the gunman is about to fire.
But the gun nut returns to pull the trigger – this time firing off a bullet at point blank range at the officer.
Officer Alexander then ducks behind the two people he pulled over, in front of their Mercedes Benz, putting the driver and passenger between him and the shooter, directly in the line of fire.
When he was unable to catch him, Alexander returned to issue a traffic fine to a motorist who had been driving in the emergency lane of the N2 near Borcherd’s Quarry in Cape Town, before seeking medical attention.
Traffic Officer Alexander was later awarded the City of Cape Town Traffic Services Departmental Officer of the Year Award 2015 for “his dedication to serving the public”.
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‘His conduct exemplifies the professionalism and dedication to duty embodied by our Traffic Services’.
