SAN ANTONIO – Tuesday was the first time in seven months Deputy Raymond Ruiz put on a uniform, after a major surgery for a severe stomach infection.
But this weekend the patrolman quickly saw that, no matter how long it has been since he last suited up, he will always answer the call of duty.
San Antonio police credit Ruiz with helping save a man’s life.
Ruiz was just one of the good Samaritans who treated a stabbing victim.
He and his wife, Roxanne Ruiz, were shopping at the Walmart on Bandera Road at Mainland Drive.
It was supposed to be a quick trip, instead as Roxanne Ruiz walked outside she saw two men walking in and another man covered in blood.
The victim was a loss prevention employee who police said was stabbed by a shoplifter.
The man had wounds to his chest and arm. Bystanders had used a belt to help stop the bleeding, but it wasn't enough. Getting creative, Ruiz used a children's toy to stop the bleeding.
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"You could see the internals of the arm itself, it was a gaping wound,” Raymond Ruiz said. “The blood was spilling out with the heartbeats and I needed to get something on there quick and fast."
Raymond Ruiz had his first aid bag on him. He pulled a plastic jump rope, using a piece as a second tourniquet higher up on the arm, right below the victim’s shoulder.
Even then, Raymond said he thought he was too late. "Most certainly, I didn't think he was going to make it," he said.
Three days later, the loss prevention office is still recovering.
Raymond said the real bravery was shown by the regular people, who stepped in before help arrive.
"Obviously, they're putting everything on the line, because we don't know who the perpetrator is," Raymond Ruiz said.
It is a sentiment shared by his wife.
"They did a great job," Roxanne Ruiz said.
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