Police officer’s badge stops bullet during exchange of gunfire in North Las Vegas

Nevada police officer saved from bullet by badge

LAS VEGAS — A police officer’s badge may have saved his life when it stopped a bullet during an exchange of gunfire in North Las Vegas.

Police say the 31-year-old officer was patrolling just before 10 p.m. Saturday when he heard shots being fired in an apartment complex.

While investigating, the officer came upon a person with a gun and opened fire. The officer returned fire and was hit. But the bullet hit the badge, and the officer suffered only minor injuries.

The person with the gun fled.

Police continued to search Sunday for the suspect, who might also be injured.

The injured police officer’s name was not immediately released.

Information from: Las Vegas Sun, www.lasvegassun.com