Jacob Viano
Sergeant Jacob Viano has been employed by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office since 2000. Prior to becoming a Deputy Sheriff, Jacob Viano was a professional pitcher for Major League Baseball, pitching for both the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. After joining Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Sergeant Viano was a Narcotics Detective for 5 years and was an Operator / Assistant Sniper Team leader on the SWAT team for 6 years. Sergeant Viano transferred to the K9 Unit and spent 13 years as a K9 Handler and worked 2 dogs during that time. He was certified by FDLE as both an instructor and K9 Team evaluator. He competed with both dogs at USPCA Regional Trials scoring 1st Place Top Novice with his first canine partner, K9 Valor. After leaving the K9 unit he was promoted to rank of Sergeant and currently works in the Marine Unit.
Class: Surviving a Tracking Ambush
In 2023, Cpl. Aitken was shot three times while tracking a burglary suspect. He survived due to the heroic acts of his K9 partner Taco and Sergeant Jacob Viano’s quick actions to neutralize the suspect. This class offers a debrief of the events that occurred and the lessons learned that allowed all three to survive the ambush.
On March 12, 2023, Corporal Aitken responded to a burglary call with his K9 partner Taco. The suspect was actively running from other deputies and was last seen running into the woods behind a residential neighborhood. Sergeant Viano arrived on scene at the start point and ran back-up as Corporal Aitken deployed K9 Taco. K9 Taco quickly located the suspects track and led them thru the woods and over a fence into a neighborhood. While tracking through the neighborhood the suspect emerged between buildings and fled upon seeing the K9 Team. Corporal Aitken challenged the suspect and as he neared the corner he was last seen at, the suspect emerged from between buildings and shot Corporal Aitken three times, striking him in the neck, arm, and leg. The neck gunshot rendered Corporal Aitken unconscious and K9 Taco immediately bit the suspect on his left side. The suspect fired three shots at Sergeant Viano; however, those rounds missed as K9 Taco continued to fight the suspect. Sergeant Viano was able to return fire and killed the suspect without injuring K9 Taco. Sergeant Viano was able to control K9 Taco and coordinate back-up and medical assistance. Numerous tourniquets were applied to Corporal Aitken and CPR was administered. Corporal Aitken spent five days in the hospital and underwent surgery to repair a broken wrist and tendon in his left arm. The round that struck his neck narrowly missed his spinal cord. Corporal Aitken required physical therapy for both his neck and arm but is expected to make a full recovery.