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AUBURN, Calif. -- Joe Schaefer of Auburn is being called a hometown hero for his efforts to help save his co-worker, who was involved in a domestic dispute.
Acting Auburn Police Chief Victor Pecoraro said the suspect, Joseph David De La Cruz, was talking with a woman he was in a relationship with who works at the Quick Lube Service Center off Marguerite Mine Road. They were talking outside the business and when she went inside police say De La Cruz tried to follow her.
Two employees tried to stop the suspect. Police say one of them got shoved to the ground and then Schaefer was shot.
Police say Schaefer is the only one who was shot in the incident, and they say he stepped up to confront the suspect when he was trying to aggressively go into the business.
The suspect tried to search for the woman and then took off. He was captured the following morning.
Schaefer's long time girlfriend has been at the hospital with him.
"When we got here to the emergency room and they told me the seriousness it hit me like a brick in the chest," said Catherine Hedden, girlfriend.
Schaefer was unaware of people calling him a "hometown hero" until Hedden told him.
"He said are you sure you didn't say zero?" Hedden said. "I said no they're calling you a hero. He didn't say a lot about what happened. He doesn't feel like he's a hero but I think he is."
Hedden says she is filled with gratitude from all the people sharing a Go Fund Me page set up by their close friend. It raised more than $10,000 in a day.
"I've cried more happy tears than anything else," Hedden said. "Brings back faith in humanity."
She says the money will help with her transportation costs and also help pay for rent while Schaefer is recovering.
The woman Schaefer was protected is a fellow employee.
"I talked to the gal he works with and she said "he saved my life." Hedden said.
Continue the conversation with ABC10’s Ananda Rochita.