By Joanna Putman
Police1
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office has released security and body-worn camera footage of a man swinging a knife at a deputy after telling his wife he wanted to kill a cop, WPTV reported.
The incident began when the deputy responded to a call at a restaurant in Vero Beach, according to the report. After clearing that call, the deputy heard a disturbance at a nearby gas station and went to investigate.
The disturbance the deputy heard was caused by the suspect chasing several men around the parking lot with a knife, according to the report.
Upon arriving at the gas station, the deputy was confronted by a man who immediately attacked him with a knife, security footage shows. The deputy quickly stepped back and fired multiple shots, hitting the suspect.
The suspect had a lengthy criminal history, including prison time in Florida for robbery, burglary, grand theft and child abuse, as well as multiple felony charges in Pennsylvania and Delaware, according to the report.
Sheriff Eric Flowers stated during a press conference that the suspect “had told his wife that he wanted to take out a Palm Bay cop.”
The deputy, who joined the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in January after serving with the Cocoa Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, has been placed on paid administrative leave, following standard protocol.
“Our deputy is a hero today because he did the right thing,” Flowers said. “He protected himself and potentially protected the lives of others.”