Shocking pic of bullet damaged Kevlar helmet shows how close cop came to being killed during Orlando massacre
Police officer was part of the brutal shoot out between cops and gunman Omar Mateen
A POLICE officer was saved by his Kevlar helmet as he fought to rescue the hostages of the Orlando gunman.
Orlando authorities shared a shocking picture of the officer’s bullet riddled helmet, showing just how close the cop came to death.
The officer took part in the dangerous shoot-out at gay nightclub Pulse between gunman Omar Mateen and police.
Mateen killed 53 and injured 53 in the worst mass shooting in US history.
In the fire fight, the cop took a blow to the eye as the bullet bounced off the man’s helmet.
According to Special agent Danny Banks, the Kevlar helmet is the only reason the officer is alive today.
The incredible photo was shared on Twitter by Orlando Police.
It was captioned: “In hail of gunfire in which suspect was killed, OPD officer was hit. Kevlar helmet saved his life.”
The lucky police officer was part of a group of nine who stormed the nightclub to rescue around 30 hostages.
The brave men distracted Mateen with a controlled explosion before killing him in the tense shoot out.
Mateen’s hostages were hiding in the bathroom when police stormed the club.
The police officers were backed up by a SWAT team, and hordes of police vehicles.
Revellers at Pulse were enjoying a Latin-themed night before Mateen stormed in with a gun.
Party-goer Jon Alamo said: “I heard 20, 40, 50 shots. The music stopped.”
Rob Rick was also at the club that night and mentioned that the shooting started just before the club was due to close.
He said: “Everybody was drinking their last sip.
In a bid to stay alive, Rick crawled on the ground towards the DJ booth.
Reveller Ricardo Almodovar said: “Shooter opened fire at around 2.00am. People on the dance floor and bar got down on the floor and some of us who were near the bar and back exit managed to go out through the outdoor area and just ran.”
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Hassan Dieg, 24, told MailOnline that he was in a club across the street when he heard gunfire being let off.
He said he “knew something wrong” and that people started to gather quickly on the street.
Mayor Buddy Dyer said: “Many were saved by the heroic efforts of the men and women of the OPD, the Orange County Sheriffs, Seminal County Sheriff's office.”
President Obama called the horrendous massacre “an act of terror and an act of hate.”
He said: “We grieve the murder and horrific massacre of dozens of innocent people.”
ISIS extremists claimed responsibility for the worst attack in the US since 9/11.
The gunman called up emergency number 911 to swear his support to sick ISIS leader Abu Bark Al Baghdadi.
Gunman Mateen entered the club with an AR-15 assault rifle and a handgun at around 2am, shooting down the doorman.
Bullets rained down on party-goers as 50 were murdered.
Around 100 clubbers were held hostage by Mateen until a SWAT team killed him.
Clubber Eddie Justice texted his mother while he hid in the toilets.
He said: “Mommy I love you. In club they shooting.
“He’s coming. I’m gonna die.
“He has us and he’s in here with us.”
The club posted on Facebook at around 3am: “everyone get out of Pulse and keep running.”
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