Flagler County, FL - After 3 deputies were hurt over the weekend by suspects in unrelated incidents, Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly went on record to warn residents that injuring law enforcement officers is illegal and will result in suspects facing charges.
“We will not tolerate abuse of our deputies in the course of doing their jobs,” Staly said. “If you injure our deputies, you will go to jail or have charges added. There’s plenty of room at the Green-Roof Inn. And rest assured, we will urge the state attorney to prosecute you to the full extent of the law. Every deputy knows there are risks while serving our community. We want to bring awareness, in addition to our training to minimize those risks.”
Suspects who injure a law enforcement officer could be charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, which is a felony, or resisting arrest.
On Friday, March 3, Detention Sgt. Manuel Sa was injured when he and other deputies tried to get an inmate out of his cell. His right wrist and forearm were injured when the inmate fell to the floor and landed on Sa's arm. Sgt. Sa was treated at the hospital and released, and he's since been placed on light duty. The inmate's been charged with 2 counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and assault on a law enforcement officer.
On Sunday, March 5, at around 3 AM, Detention Deputy Jonathan Vitale's finger was bitten when he and 2 other deputies were restraining an inmate who was being booked into the jail. The suspect drew blood and Vitale's right middle finger has a tooth mark on it. The deputy was treated and released. The inmate was arrested for trespassing but now he's facing a felony charg of battery on a law enforcement officer.
Also on Sunday, March 5, at about 8:45 PM, Deputy Daniel Parthermore lost his balance while trying to subdue a domestic violence suspect. Parthermore fell on the pavement and injured his arm, hip, and back. He was treated at Florida Hospital Flagler and released. The suspect was arrested and charged with resisting arrest without violence.
Photo courtesy FLSheriffs.org.
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