Family says slain detective saved officer's life

POLK COUNTY, Ga. — An injured police officer is back home and recovering with his family after he was shot on Friday.

Officer David Goodrich was shot while checking on a stolen car in Polk County.

Det. Kristen Hearne, 29, was also shot and died from her injuries.

Seth Brandon Spangler, 31, was arrested and charged with felony murder and felony aggravated assault.

[PHOTOS: Family photos of fallen Det. Kristen Hearne]

Goodrich was wearing a bulletproof vest when he was shot. Family members say that, along with Hearne’s sacrifice, saved the rookie officer’s life.

“The person turned off him and he (Goodrich) said, ‘She saved my life.’ He said, ‘I’m forever indebted to her for that,’” said Hearne’s husband Matt.

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Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd said Goodrich is a hero, too.

“Officer Hearne went down. He did CPR on her until EMS got there,” he said.

Goodrich joined the Polk County Police Department six months ago. He was formerly an Atlanta firefighter.

[RAW VIDEO: Husband of slain police officer talks about wife]

“Twenty years as an EMT and just decided he wanted to be a police officer,” Dodd said.

Channel 2’s Chris Jose spoke with Goodrich’s wife on Saturday. She said physically her husband is fine, by emotionally he is experiencing “survivor’s guilt.”

“We’re just trying to support him right now and let him know that he’s a hero,” Dodd said.

Goodrich and his family plan to be at Hearne’s funeral, which is scheduled for Tuesday.

Cox Media Group