Video of shooting released after vest saved Warren officer

Incredible dash cam video released Friday shows a Warren police officer getting shot in the chest.  He survived, his bullet-proof vest taking the bullet and giving him a chance to get away.

From dash cam, you see Warren police officers walking to a house investigating a call of a man threatening someone with a gun.  Moments later there is a shot from the suspect off camera and Officer Daniel Viars, an eight year veteran, can be seen falling into the street.

Viars drops his gun and flashlight, then gets a hold of his weapon and crawls and rolls.  He fires his gun at the suspect as he continues to crawl to safety behind a police cruiser.

"He didn't know until he got to the hospital and they took the round out of his vest, he didn't know that there was not penetration, didn't break the skin or anything.  He thought he was in more serious trouble," said Police Commissioner Jere Green.

The .380 caliber round from the suspect's handgun was lodged in the officer's vest, but it was a very close call.  The bullet was found just inches from the edge of the vest and inches from piercing the 35-year-old officer's abdomen.

Viars and the other officers returned fire.  The 53-year-old suspect, Robert Anthony Day, was shot and killed.

Viars approved the dash cam video release.

"Let people see the dangers police officers run into every day," Green said.  "Officer Viars even said yesterday that you go to a scene and it seems like a simple thing and they get ugly fast, and that's really the purpose of releasing the video."

Viars will be allowed to return to duty whenever he wants.  He can be off as long as needed.  He is home with his wife and family.

The rest of the officers that were involved in that shooting will be returning to duty on Sunday.