11-21-12

News Release (November 20, 2012)
Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart formally commends and recognizes Corporal Kevin Stout, Deputy David Myers and Deputy Odell Livingston for their actions during a situation of duress that emulates the integrity and professionalism we have within the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Their unsolicited demeanor has distinguished them by heroism involving voluntary risk of life by taking immediate courageous action and humanitarian regard for their fellowman. These actions reflect great credit upon themselves and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

On Thursday the 20th day of November 2012, Each Deputy received a Commendation letter and certificate of recognition to formally and publicly commend them for the excellent level of service they provided. Sheriff Stewart thanked each Deputy for their service to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Madison County and further expressed his gratitude and appreciation for being allowed to employ men and women of their caliber.

The situation the Deputies responded to requiring such action was on Thursday the 1st day of November 2012, at approximately 8:10 PM. The Sheriff’s Office Communication Center received a 911 call where a spouse requested immediate assistance concerning her husband abruptly leaving the house in his vehicle with a gun in hand threatening suicide. The caller provided a vehicle description but had no direction of travel. It was Corporal Stout dispatched to the call and within twenty minutes located the vehicle traveling on Cherry Lake Circle. Corporal Stout maintained surveillance before conducting a traffic stop as backup units were responding. As Deputy Odell Livingston and Deputy David Myers arrived in the area the traffic stop was conducted as the subject pulled into a driveway. The subject exited his vehicle with a long barrel gun in hand and refused to drop the firearm. Officers took cover as the subject refused to comply and drop the handgun. The subject re-entered the vehicle with the barrel of the gun pointing upwards and began shouting to officers that he would shoot himself if they did not leave the area. Corporal Stout radioed for additional assistance to include the Sheriff’s Office negotiator. However, Corporal Stout recognized the imminent threat of bodily injury in the situation as the subject continued shouting threats. Corporal Stout began speaking with the subject in an attempt to defuse him as he continually raised the barrel of the gun towards himself.

Deputy Myers had positioned himself covertly within thirty feet of the subject’s passenger side of the vehicle and not in view of the subject. Deputy Myers noted the passenger side window was down on the vehicle which would allow him to possibly approach and Taser the subject. Corporal Stout noted the more he spoke with the subject the more agitated he became and would actually turn outwards the driver’s window and shout back at him simultaneously putting both hands out the window making gestures. Corporal Stout was clearly convinced the situation was impossible to resolve peacefully and the subject would not comply without some use of force. The situation clearly posed an imminent threat of safety of the subject or themselves. The Officers on scene developed an immediate plan of action for Corporal Stout to heavily engage in conversation with the subject for distraction and attempt to have the subject turn and put both hands out the window in frustration allowing Deputy Myers to approach undetected from the opposite side and deploy his Taser. The planned course of action was successfully executed and Deputy Myers deployed his Taser striking the subject allowing Corporal Stout and Livingston the seconds needed to apprehend the subject and remove him from the vehicle without further incident. The officers located and secured the shotgun with six additional shells. The subject was secured without harm and transported to Appalachee for mental evaluations.