(Left) Brian Ballasch
Sheriff Binnewies released an Impact Statement to the community.
"The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office is empowered to protect, serve and enrich our community. We strive to do just that, with integrity and honor.
Your honor, court staff, our supporting law enforcement partners during this incident including the Mariposa Area California Highway Patrol and the CHP MAIT Team, Sheriff Adam Christianson and the Stanislaus Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Jay Varney and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Mercy Ambulance, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office and the Modesto Police Department, and Chase’s Foothill Petroleum along with the Mariposa County community that has supported the Deputies and the Sheriff’s Office so strongly, thank you for support and the opportunity to share some thoughts at this hearing.
This incident which has been extremely impacting to the victim Deputies, especially Deputy Rudy Mirelez and his family, the fine personnel of the Sheriff’s Office and the great community of Mariposa County.
The defendant drove to Mariposa County with intent to harm county citizens. He possessed intent and a firearm to carry out his personal mission.
Only due to the heroic act of our Sheriff Deputies on that October 1st morning was he stopped from murdering unsuspecting citizens. During that event, once contacting the Deputies, and his car was disabled due to the violent crash into a fully identified Sheriff’s patrol vehicle, the defendant then turned his aggressiveness toward them with his firearm.
It was at this moment, that the defendant intentionally shot several times, placing two 45 caliber bullets into Deputy Rudy Mirelez’ face and chest. Mariposa County Deputies; Rudy Mirelez, Justin Sponhaltz, Mike King and Tim Lemmons responded and ultimately arrested him to later stand trial for his violent actions.
Deputy Mirelez was gravely injured from this attack. In fact his surgeons at the Memorial trauma center in Modesto worked diligently but were not optimistic. It was a scary time. This was an unearned and undeserving attack. Rudy did not deserve this pain and his wife, Christine, and their children certainly did not deserve this terror that they were now facing not knowing if their own hero was going to live or die.
In today’s California, it is hard to keep the bad guys in jail. Thanks to AB109, Prop 47 and most recently Prop 57. Our Deputies get it, they don’t make the laws, they professionally and fairly enforce the laws and continue to achieve their best to keep our communities safe.
I along with our community am very proud of these men, and all the men and women who represent the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office and our law enforcement partners in their many capacities to ensure that we and our loved ones and our neighbors can all enjoy a safe community in Mariposa County.
But I do need to share this, while it is the job of the professional law enforcement officers and talented support staff to remain professional, fair and neutral, it is a different world for our spouses, children and loved ones. They find no comfort in this. They don’t understand why this defendant could commit such a violent attack to our loved law enforcement officers. They don’t understand why it’s so hard to keep the bad guys in jail. And they don’t recognize why a defendant who would shoot at our officers, and shoot Deputy Rudy Mirelez in the face and in the chest with a .45 caliber pistol would ever be able to get out of prison to see the light of day before his death.
Law enforcement officers can remain neutral during these incidents. It’s their job. In fact, I bet not one of these Deputies involved in this attack would say they “hate” the defendant. I however know that they, and we, all want the defendant to remain accountable for his actions. And realize the consequences of all of his harm that he caused. And never allow the defendant to harm another again."
Source: Mariposa County Sheriff's Office
Earlier information: Press Conference Video of Mariposa County Sheriff Deputy Shot in Early Morning Shootout
And
Brian Ballasch Accused of Shooting Mariposa County Deputy Rudy Mirelez Court Appearance
