OfficerBlueDouglas County, CO – Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Pelle got a special video message from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which he posted to social media on Wednesday (video below.)
Deputy Pelle said that his fellow deputies contacted Johnson and asked him to do this, as Pelle is a big fan.
The deputy posted the video online, saying, “Thank you
The video shows Johnson speaking to the camera.
“I wanted to wish you well, I wanted to wish you well in your recovery. I’ve been tracking your story. I heard about the scenario you went through. I’m sorry about your loss. I believe you lost a brother with the loss of Parrish,” he said in the video
“I wanted to say I wish you the best on your recovery. I hear you’re a big fan of mine, which I really, really appreciate. I hear you’re finally home which is awesome. And you’re gonna be up and at ’em in no time,” Johnson added.
Johnson left Deputy Pelle with an inspirational quote, “Setbacks are just a setup for an even bigger comeback.”
Deputy Pelle was shot in the incident where Deputy Zackari Parrish was murdered.
The incident occurred shortly after 3 a.m. Dec. 31, when Deputy Parrish and other Douglas County deputies responded to an apartment in Highlands Ranch for a disturbance call. “He found out what was going on. He determined there was no crime, and he encouraged everyone to quiet down,” Sheriff Spurlock said.
Two hours later, deputies were called back to the same home. “And this was different. Zack knew it was different,” Sheriff Spurlock said.
He said he has listened to the body camera audio tapes from that final, fateful call, according to KUSA.
The Douglas County Sheriff shared what made the 29-year-old father-of-two so special. “Of course it was Zack’s call, and I’m guessing those of you who knew it was Zack’s call knew you stood behind him, never in front of him, and that’s who he was,” the sheriff said.
“And up until Deputy Zack Parrish died, he was pleading with the man, begging him, ‘Let me talk to you. Let me help you, please.’ And then the killer killed him,” Sheriff Spurlock said.
“Never once did I hear Zack Parrish use a foul word, never once did I hear him raise his voice. Never once did I hear him be derogatory to this individual. Not one time,” he said. “Now I know why officers wanted to work with Zack Parrish.”
Deputy Parrish’s murderer was identified as Andrew Riehl, a man with a history of mental problems who had posted numerous online posts including threats against University of Wyoming professors and rants against police officers.
Riehl was later killed by a SWAT team in a gunfight that also wounded another officer. Five deputies including Deputy Parrish and Deputy Pelle were shot by Riehl during the incident, according to Time.
Deputy Parrish is survived by his wife, two small children, and other family members.
Deputy Pelle was shot under an arm, with the bullet collapsing his lung and puncturing his liver and diaphragm. He faces a long road to recovery.
You can see the video message from The Rock below: