GILBERT, AZ — It has been nearly a decade since Gilbert Police Lieutenant Eric Shuhandler was gunned down during a traffic stop, and nearly two months since the trial began for his accused killer, Christopher Redondo.
Now, new details from a man who was by Lt. Shuhandler's side just seconds after he was shot.
Michael Clark is sharing his emotional experience only with ABC15, to make sure Lt. Shuhandler's heroic actions are never forgotten.
"We saw the flash but we didn't necessarily see where it came from," said Clark. "We saw the police officer drop."
Nine years ago, Clark and his friends never could have imagined how their routine trip to the Taco Bell off Val Vista and Baseline Road in Gilbert would take such a tragic turn.
The officer they saw that night was Gilbert Police Lieutenant Eric Shuhandler, a 16-year veteran of the department and father of two young girls.
"We all thought that he was already gone because he had been shot in the head," Clark said. Yet somehow, Lt. Shuhandler was still alive.
"He has the driver's license in his hand and he can't say anything but he's looking at us, individually, and then pushes it up and just gives us this look, this very intense look," said Clark.
"My friend got on his radio and called in for help. We all had hope for a little while that he was going to beat the odds."
Lt. Shuhandler was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
"Just based off of the responses of the other police officers there, and the weight that it put on them of receiving that news, we all knew that he was not only very important to them but was a good man," said Clark.
That license and a vehicle description from Clark and his friends lead to a 50-mile police chase down the US 60 and ended with two men in custody.
The driver, Daimen Irizarry, was sentenced to 107 years in prison for his role in the shooting. The passenger accused of pulling the trigger, Christopher Redondo, is on trial right now facing the death penalty. Clark has been subpoenaed to testify.
"Now more than ever I feel like, here's my chance to do something, even if it's just a little bit," said Clark.
The Gilbert Police Department honored the group with Distinguished Conduct Awards for their part in helping Lt. Shuhandler. Still, Clark is adamant, the true hero's legacy must always live on.
"He kept on fighting and kept on pushing and made sure that the information that was needed so that the police could track them down was passed on," Clark said. "I'll never forget that."
