Police officer dies in Oviedo explosion one month before retirement
Juan José Rodríguez, a bomb disposal specialist with the National Police, died whilst handling an explosive-laden rucksack in Oviedo. He was about to retire after 30 years of service.
Fatal explosion during inspection of suspicious device
According to Libertad Digital, Juan José Rodríguez, a National Police officer from the Special Canine Handlers Unit, died on Tuesday in the explosion of an explosive-laden rucksack in Oviedo. He was scheduled to retire in just over a month.
Rodríguez was participating in the inspection of a suspicious rucksack found on the landing of a building on Calle Rafael Urrusti. The specialists decided to remove it to the street to avoid danger to residents. The explosion occurred at the moment of handling it. 'Deny', a three-year-old German Shepherd who worked with him in the canine unit, also died.
Career and recognition
Rodríguez's career was linked to various units of the National Police. He began in León, later moved to Tenerife after a promotion and, approximately six years ago, returned to Asturias, where he lived in Llanera.
Colleagues remembered him as "a gem, the best in the world: as a person and an athlete" and "a very well-liked officer, in very good physical condition". In October he received a decoration for services rendered in explosive handling with his former working dog, 'Harley', which had been retired. The honour was presented to him by the then government delegate, Adriana Lastra.
The National Police posted on social media: "Distressed by the death of our colleague Juan José, from the Special Canine Handlers Unit, during a search of a suspicious rucksack in Asturias. Our hearts are with his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones".
Context of the incident
Officers attended the area following a shooting in which a 17-year-old girl was injured. The explosion also caused serious injury to another specialist from the Tedax Unit, who was taken to the Central University Hospital of Asturias.
The National Police continue to search for the alleged person responsible for the shooting and the subsequent explosion. The suspect, identified by the initials M. F. and nicknamed "the Russian", is around 65 years old and has multiple prior convictions for common crime.
Source: Libertad Digital