MAY 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 5

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY FLORIDA SHERIFF Santa Rosa County Sheriff tell homeowners, “go ahead and shoot the burglars and save us taxpayers money.” By Mike Stunson The Charlotte Observer SANTA ROSA COUNTY, FL. — Homeowners in the Florida Panhandle are being encouraged by one sheriff to shoot burglars who enter their homes. The comments by Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson come after deputies took into custody a “frequent flyer” who is accused of breaking into several homes on Wednesday, April 20. Brandon J. Harris, who Johnson said has been arrested 17 times, faces seven charges after his most recent arrest. Deputies set up a perimeter in the Pace neighborhood when multiple people called about a suspicious person, Johnson said. About 40 minutes after the first call went out, a homeowner shot at Harris, who continued to run throughout the neighborhood. The sheriff said Harris was caught when he jumped out of a get your FREE SUBSCRIPTION to The BLUES, scan the QR code or click here. window of a home’s bedroom. The homeowner who shot at Harris has not come forward, Johnson said. “I guess they think they did something wrong, which they did not,” Johnson said. “If somebody is breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot at them in Santa Rosa County. We prefer that you do actually.” The homeowner fired multiple shots, but Johnson said Harris came away with just bloody cuts from fencing. Harris’ charges include attempted burglary with assault, burglary and resisting arrest. Floridians are allowed to use force to protect their home and in defense of their property. “A person who is in a dwelling or residence in which the person has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and use or threaten to use,” the Florida SHERIFF BOB JOHNSON statute states. Johnson told the homeowner he or she is not in trouble. “Come see us,” the sheriff said. “We have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday and if you take that you’ll shoot a lot better and hopefully save taxpayer’s money.” Pace is in the panhandle of Florida about 15 miles north of Pensacola. CLOSE CALL Drunk driver plows into Florida State Troopers car throwing the officer to the ground. The trooper was standing in front of his vehicle when the crash occurred. DUNEDIN, Fla. — A Florida state trooper miraculously avoided serious injury after a suspected drunk driver crashed into the trooper’s squad car, reported FOX 13. The unnamed trooper was standing in front of his marked cruiser while protecting an earlier crash scene, according to the report. Police said the driver was charged with DWI after his SUV slammed into the back of a state trooper’s patrol car last month in Florida.. The Florida Highway Patrol says the trooper had lights on and was parked on the inside lane of U.S. 19 northbound in Dunedin, investigating a prior traffic crash just before midnight. Their report says a 47-year-old man slammed into the cruiser with his Toyota Highlander at full speed. The patrol car lurched forward from the impact and knocked the trooper over. Both the trooper and the driver, Tamico Gilbert, suffered minor injuries. The smashed-in patrol car ran up on the median and 19 northbound was shut down for several hours. Troopers arrested Gilbert and charged him with DUI, DUI Injury and DUI Property Damage. He’s out on 0 bond. 20 The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE The BLUES POLICE MAGAZINE 21