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THE terrifying moment a cop pulled a gun and shot a rifle-wielding thug during a routine traffic stop was captured on the officer's bodycam.

Brave deputy Brad Proulx in the Douglas County Sheriff's Office stopped to help what he thought was a stranded motorist on Santa Fe Road in Littleton, Colorado.

The deputy thought the driver was stranded and went over to help
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The deputy thought the driver was stranded and went over to helpCredit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Suddenly the driver launched himself at the cop holding an assault rifle
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Suddenly the driver launched himself at the cop holding an assault rifleCredit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office
The brave cop fired two shots and hit the suspect in the arm
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The brave cop fired two shots and hit the suspect in the armCredit: Douglas County Sheriff's Department
Deputy Proulx was knocked to the floor and suspect Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas is seen running away injured
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Deputy Proulx was knocked to the floor and suspect Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas is seen running away injuredCredit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office

He walked over to the white 4x4 and suddenly Deyon Marcus Rivas-Maestas, 25, jumped out of the car and attempted to hit the officer with the butt of the AR-15 assault rifle.

Deputy Proulx quickly yanked out his sidearm and shot the suspect in the arm, reports .

The cop falls to the floor and - clearly panicked but in control - yells into his radio "shots fired".

The officer's drawn weapon can be seen in the top right of this still from the video
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The officer's drawn weapon can be seen in the top right of this still from the videoCredit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office
The driver repeatedly tells the deputy he is sorry
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The driver repeatedly tells the deputy he is sorryCredit: Douglas County Sheriff's Office

He then stands and tells the injured man to get on the ground and not to move.

Rivas-Maestas is heard wailing and telling the officer he's "sorry" and he "didn't mean it".

Sheriff Tony Spurlock said: "The result of this shooting is a testament to the training each of our deputies are provided.

"This just shows how necessary it is for deputies to be able to make split-second decisions, not only for their own protection but for the protection of the community."

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Rivas-Maestas was treated and released from the hospital and is now in custody being held on a $50,000 bond.

El Paso County Sheriff's spokeswoman Jackie Kirby said: "Traffic stops are probably one of the most dangerous things our law enforcement officers do.

"He was just on routine patrol and wanted to assist a motorist... and then it elevated very, very quickly."

Bodycam footage also captured the moment a hero cop jumped into a pond to save a four-year-old autistic boy who was just seconds away from drowning.

Courageous Aaron Bulmer spotted the stricken youngster as he was searching for people involved in a fight.

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