Wounded Carson City officer receives purple heart

Carson City Deputy Josh Stagliano was awarded a Purple Heart commendation on Thursday.

Sheriff Ken Furlong pinned the medal on Stagliano, 28, during the Board of Supervisors meeting. The deputy also received a citation from the sheriff and the city for his actions during the early morning of Feb. 1.

Every member of the department who could be there was there. They cheered when Furlong saluted Stagliano, who has been with the department for six years.

Furlong praised the deputy's "bravery, leadership and selfless acts of heroism" during a moment of crisis.

Stagliano and other deputies were serving a drug-related search warrant at a Fall Street residence. Members of the Carson City Sheriff's Special Enforcement Team, with support from Stagliano and other patrol deputies, used a battering ram to get inside the home. No one responded to door knocking or a shout, warning of who they were and what they wanted, so the ram was the next method of entry.

After encountering two occupants in a front room with little incident, the deputies began making their way through the rest of the house to ensure it was safe. When Stagliano led officers down the hall and approached a rear bedroom, a third occupant fired a .22-caliber rifle. The bullet struck Stagliano in the wrist.

Though the wound shattered his wrist bones, he was able to steady his firearm, fire back and warn fellow deputies. While being transported to the hospital for treatment, he radioed team members to provide information about the suspect, weapon and other pertinent details.

"Stagliano's training, experience and internal fortitude enabled him to recover, return fire and assist his team members, avoiding further injuries or death to others," Furlong said.

Stagliano is on light duty and working in the department's detective unit. He faces more surgery on his wrist and much more physical therapy, Furlong said.

Mark Daniel Fiddler, 50, who shot Stagliano in the wrist during the incident, pleaded guilty to battery with a deadly weapon earlier this month.

An informant led deputies to believe there would be drugs at the location, but none were found.

It's been at least a decade since an officer has been seriously injured while on duty, Furlong added.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.