Three Hillsborough County deputies who were ambushed while responding to a domestic violence call on West Shell Point Road in Ruskin received signed jerseys and game balls from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 5, three weeks after the shooting that nearly killed two of them.
Deputy Sopharmony Muon, 33, and Deputy Colton Daniels, 39, each received a personalized jersey with their name on the back, along with a game ball, according to WFLA. Sgt. Harrison Bashner, 53, the 28-year veteran who fatally shot the suspect, also received recognition from the team.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office posted video of the evening ceremony on Facebook, showing all three deputies present. The post drew more than 20,000 views and 628 reactions.
The sheriff's office said it was "sincerely thankful for the Buccaneers' support of our deputies" and called the team's partnership meaningful to the agency.
How the July 16 Ambush Unfolded
On July 16, deputies responded to a residence on West Shell Point Road at 9:52 a.m. after a woman escaped and reported that her ex-boyfriend, Christopher Dmuchowski, 34, had held her captive at gunpoint overnight. HCSO launched a drone for surveillance before deputies arrived and observed Dmuchowski exit the apartment and walk toward a vehicle in the parking lot.
As Muon arrived on scene, Dmuchowski opened fire. Muon was shot in the face and left hand. Daniels arrived simultaneously and was shot in the neck. The bullet passed through Daniels' neck without striking his cervical spine or any vital arteries.
Bashner arrived during the gunfire, took a tactical position and returned fire, killing Dmuchowski. The suspect, a convicted felon found guilty in 2023 of tampering with physical evidence, was pronounced dead at Tampa General Hospital at 12:32 p.m.
"It was just scary," Daniels said on July 17, the day he was released from Tampa General Hospital. "We pulled up. It wasn't anything we expected. I mean we never expected the guy just out of nowhere to start shooting rounds at us."
Both deputies were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. Daniels was released July 17. Muon, who underwent hand surgery, was released July 18.
Deputies Recovering at Home; No Return-to-Duty Date Set
Muon has been with HCSO for two years; Daniels for four years. Both are recovering at home.
Sheriff Chad Chronister said at a July 16 press conference that the suspect "was intent on killing our deputies" and "would have succeeded if not for the heroic actions of one of our own."
No return-to-duty date has been announced for either deputy.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation into the shooting remains open.
