Deputy Anthony Zimmerer with the Volusia. The homeowner did exactly what he should have done, and that's protect himself, his family, and his home" Judd said. A pair of good Samaritans in Florida stopped to help a deputy who was being attacked by a suspect during a traffic stop this week, a local sheriff said. "When you break into a house of a stranger and you're shot, shot and killed, that's on you. And he said they're appreciative that Miedema is no longer a threat. Judd says his prayers are with Deputy Anderson as he recovers from his injuries.
![florida deputies ambushed during traffic stop florida deputies ambushed during traffic stop](https://www.wfla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2017/07/20294172_1744800189150397_3281451920105468674_n_35325683_ver1.0-1.jpg)
"If you shoot at a law enforcement officer, an armed law enforcement officer, or you're trying to kill them, no one is safe," Judd said. This is the 4th ever Blue Alert issued since it was established in 2011. "It's immediately 'all hands on deck' because something terrible has happened to a law enforcement officer and the suspects are not in custody," Judd said. When a Blue Alert goes out, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd knows one their own is in trouble. The Blue Alert notification system that has been around for a decade to alert the public when a law enforcement officer is seriously hurt, killed or missing in the line of duty. According to the sheriff's office, he was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. He once resided in Sarasota, back in 2019, on Lorraine Road. He was found guilty in 2011 of sex offenses while serving in the U.S. 16th, 2021, at approximately 7:15pm, the New Braunfels Police Department responded. His last known address, according to state records, was in Fort Myers. He ran from the crash but was taken into custody by Kansas City police. 30, according to dashcam footage released by the Brevard County Sheriffs Office earlier this week.
![florida deputies ambushed during traffic stop florida deputies ambushed during traffic stop](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/5ad955501f0000270616da2f.png)
Miedema is a registered sex offender in the state. WASHINGTON (SBG) - Two deputies were attacked during a traffic stop in Brevard County, Fla. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Screenshot from the FDLE sex offender website The suspect had 23 felonies, 17 misdemeanors and two active drug investigation cases pending.īoth deputies are recovering and are expected to be OK.Ĭopyright 2022 Sunbeam Television Corp. “This individual got exactly what he deserved, because evil can never be dead enough,” said Ivey.
![florida deputies ambushed during traffic stop florida deputies ambushed during traffic stop](https://www.wfla.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2021/09/palm.jpg)
Officials said the two men standing outside the vehicle during the traffic stop had nothing to do with the ambush attack. Potters was shot in the leg and sustained head lacerations, tissue damage and bone fractures. Thoman then fired multiple shots at the suspect who was pronounced dead at the scene. He struck him in the head with the butt of his weapon before they both went out of frame and fell to the ground. Potters was heard saying he was struck by gunfire around the same time the suspect appeared to be wounded by return fire.Īs the deputies moved to the side of the police cruiser, the suspect attacked Potters from behind when his rifle jammed. The suspect then took cover at the front of the vehicle, putting the baby inside at risk. The suspected shooter was sitting in the back seat, before he got out and opened fire. “This was an extremely violent ambush that both of our deputies and the occupants of the vehicle were extremely blessed to survive,” said Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Wayne Ivey.ĭeputy Thoman was seen talking to a woman outside her vehicle about a 2-month-old baby and dog in the backseat while the vehicle occupant is leaning against the rear of the car. Monday afternoon when Deputy Brian Potters conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle off of U.S. Deputies Brian Potters and Thoman were conducting a traffic stop last month when a man hopped out of the backseat of a car and opened fire on the deputies. Melbourne, Florida The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office released dashcam footage showing two deputies who were attacked during a traffic stop on U.S.