MAJOR,

I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND TROOPERS JOHN O"ROURKE (1167) AND DAVID BRYAN (1331) FOR THE ASSISTANCE THEY PROVIDED OUR AGENCY ON APRIL 11, 2006. A DEPUTY ATTEMPTED A TRAFFIC STOP IN MINNEOLA ON A VEHICLE THAT REFUSED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP BUT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE OR COMPLY TO ANY DIRECTIONS GIVEN. BOTH TROOPERS PROVIDED BACK-UP AND PROTECTION FOR THE DEPUTY WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO NEGOTIATE. STOP STICKS WERE PLACED AND THE SHIFT COMMANDER DEPLOYED O.C. POWDER AT THE VEHICLE AFTER A FORTY ONE MINUTE REFUSAL TO COMPLY.(STILL NOT KNOWING HOW MANY SUSPECTS WERE IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO DARK TINTED WINDOWS). THE SUSPECT THEN SPED OFF SOUTH ON U.S. HWY 27 WHERE STOPS STICKS WERE AGAIN APPLIED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AT 27 AND 474. ONCE AGAIN BOTH TROOPERS PROVIDED TACTICAL SUPPORT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS REMOVED. THE SUSPECT DRIVER WAS A W/F THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AS BI- POLAR AND MANIC DEPRESSIVE ( ACCORDING TO FAMILY) AND NOT TAKING HER MEDICATION. UPON HER ARREST SHE STATED THAT "GOD" TOLD HER TO DO IT. WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THESE TWO TROOPERS THE SITUATION COULD HAVE TURNED BAD.

PLEASE RELAY MY THANKS AND APPRECIATION TO THESE TWO TROOPERS.

SINCERELY,
SGT. ROBERT HORNSBY
LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE