Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson Honors Fullerton Jewelry Store Owner for Heroism


Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson (Fourth District) honored long-time Fullerton jewelry store owner Ismael “Ish” Gomez with his 2012 “Second Amendment Award for Heroism” in recognition of the incredible courage he displayed in saving the lives of his two employees last month during an attempted take-over robbery by five armed suspects.

Mr. Gomez’s heroism resulted in one suspect being hospitalized and the other four in jail. Accolades were received from friends and professional associates for protecting the lives of his employees during a dramatic hand-to-hand, bullet-firing confrontation against violent criminals.

If you look closely at the image below, you’ll see a reminder of the struggle in the mirror behind Supervisor Nelson and Mr. Gomez.

31 Replies to “Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson Honors Fullerton Jewelry Store Owner for Heroism”

    1. Due to overcrowding and such I shall double credit them for time served and give each a year probation and to the store owner, SHAME ON YOU!!!!! SHAAAAAME!!!!!! ON YOUUU!!!!!!

      These young men nearly lost their lives because you were trying to protect your “property”. SHAME!!!!!!!!!!

      1. Judge, you stand to be corrected. The man who was shot is still clinging to live. Mr. Gomez didn’t shoot the bastard until after he grabbed the man’s hand while holding the gun to the head of the nice lady you see in the above photo. He shot the robber during the ensuing struggle for his life.

        The others fled and crashed into a parked car. You really should be praying that your friend who’s still on life support doesn’t die, or else the “young men” you seem to be protecting will be looking at life.

        Shame on you for being such an idiot!

        1. Let me try to make this a little more clear.

          Mr. Ishmael Gomez shot the man during a struggle he had for his life. See “Ish” grabbed and pulled on the man’s gun hand away from the head of the nice lady you see in above photo. He grabbed the gun holding hand and yanked it away from his employees head risking his life in the ensuing struggle.

          And one more time, YES you are an idiot Judge!

  1. This is the kind of guy we need to be the new sheriff in town! This is a true story of heroism not just the phony ones we’re used to hearing about.Why doesn’t a newspaper pick up on this story? Glad to see Fullertons future bring a story about some good things that are happening in town.

    1. The reason the media is silent on this aware being given is due to the nature of the award. The 2nd amendment is problematic to those in key positions of power. Politicians love unarmed peasants. The 2nd ammendment holds all the rest of our rights in place.

  2. Ismael Gomez is a man who walks the talk when confronted by evil persons; true grit.
    And FFFF, Travis Kiger, Tony Bushala and Chris Thompson walk in Gomez’ shoes everytime they challenge the evil triad, Jones, Bankhead and McKinley.

  3. This is a perfect example of why everyone should love and support the 2nd amendment. Well done Mr. Gomez!

  4. California law permits business owners to have loaded firearms on their person, or in their place of business, that is a good thing.

    Mr.Gomez is a TRUE hero and deserves a handshake for surviving an armed encounter with these thugs.

    It is nice to see Mr.Gomez being supported by the public and government for his actions.

    Mr.Gomez will need to maintain his vigilance though, there is a remote and real chance he can become a target by others.

    There are more than a few jewelry store owners who have had more than a half dozen shoot outs over the years, killing more than a few robbers in the process.

    I recall at least one owner who has killed 5 armed robbers in 10 years attempting to rob and kill him in the Los Angeles area.

    I don’t know if these thugs who tried to rob Mr.Gomez were “gangbangers”, if they are, there is a chance they might try to retaliate against Mr.Gomez for his actions.

    If that is the case, hopefully someone from FPD explained all that to Mr.Gomez.

    GOOD JOB Mr.Gomez!!!

  5. Great point about the gangbangers ACU, as the very nature of gangs, as evidenced by Bankhead, Jones, and McKinley’s, is to harass and intimidate anyone that stands up to them and refuses to back down.

  6. Lets not forget the thousands of drunk gang bangers who come into the city and are fed over priced drinks,and then given free reign to walk our streets….while drunk-but as long as Jeremey Poop off and Tony Florentine get money all is well.. maybe we should have Mr Gomez walk our streets at night-Im sure his idea of justice is right along my lines.

  7. Nothing warms my heart quite like a story of a free man defending his life and the lives of others from those who would do harm.

    Thank you for sharing one of many reasons why the 2nd amendment was written into our constitution.

  8. Are there awards for the other amendments? If so, Fullerton should qualify for a 21st Amendment Award.

  9. My concern is that this guy is now going to demand 3 @ 50. Seems like every time that hero word is used in this town, generous benefits follow right behind.

    Let’s all toast the real hero Ish! He is truly hero and deserves.

  10. Johnny Donut :
    Nothing warms my heart quite like a story of a free man defending his life and the lives of others from those who would do harm.
    Thank you for sharing one of many reasons why the 2nd amendment was written into our constitution.

    Sunday, 28 September 2008 19:00
    Fact Sheet: Guns Save Lives

    A. Guns save more lives than they take; prevent more injuries than they inflict

    * Guns used 2.5 million times a year in self-defense. Law-abiding citizens use guns to defend themselves against criminals as many as 2.5 million times every year — or about 6,850 times a day.1 This means that each year, firearms are used more than 80 times more often to protect the lives of honest citizens than to take lives.

    * As many as 200,000 women use a gun every year to defend themselves against sexual abuse.4

    1. During the first fifteen years that the Florida law was in effect, alligator attacks outpaced the number of crimes committed by carry holders by a 229 to 155 margin.
    2. And even the 155 “crimes” committed by concealed carry permit holders are somewhat misleading as most of these infractions resulted from Floridians who accidentally carried their firearms into restricted areas, such as an airport.15
    C. Criminals avoid armed citizens

      1. * Nationwide. In 1979, the Carter Justice Department found that of more than 32,000 attempted rapes, 32% were actually committed. But when a woman was armed with a gun or knife, only 3% of the attempted rapes were actually successful.20
        Justice Department study:
        * 3/5 of felons polled agreed that “a criminal is not going to mess around with a victim he knows is armed with a gun.”21
        * 74% of felons polled agreed that “one reason burglars avoid houses when people are at home is that they fear being shot during the crime.”22
        * 57% of felons polled agreed that “criminals are more worried about meeting an armed victim than they are about running into the police.”

  11. Ishmael Gomez is the real deal. Years ago I took my watch to him for repairs. When I went back to pick it up he charged me less than he quoted me. When I mentioned that to him then he gave it to me at no cost. I argued with him to take my money, but he refused. The man is my hero!!

  12. Way to go Ish! The Vargas’ Family, is very proud of you!
    I emailed this to Tina.
    Hope your family is doing well!
    So glad you and your employees are alright!

  13. The only bad part of this story is that all 5 of them arent dead soles…. Its always better to be judged by 12 than carried by 8.

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