Recently, the Tampa Bay Regional Communications Center received a call for assistance from St. Petersburg Police Department officers. A vehicle believed to be occupied by a murder suspect had crossed into Pasco County on Interstate 75. Now in unfamiliar territory, they requested the vehicle be stopped by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper.

Sergeant Schluter and his plane.

Land-O-Lakes District Trooper Richard Longo attempted to stop the vehicle, only to have the car flee. The suspect then entered Hernando County and exited the interstate, at which time Brooksville District Trooper Dawayne Maddux joined in and assisted Trooper Longo through a remote section of that county. Troop F pilot Sgt. Gary Schluter, flying overhead on a test flight, was able to provide air support as the suspect continued his attempt to elude the ground troopers.

The suspect finally lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree. Trooper Maddux and a local sheriff's deputy then placed him under arrest for numerous criminal traffic violations and an outstanding warrant.