Published on Tuesday, July 11, 2006
in the Tampa Bay Online

Officer Heads For Cruiser Instead Of Court

TAMPA - Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Brandon McElderry will spend 40 hours this week keeping an eye out for aggressive drivers as he patrols the area in an unmarked cruiser.

He said he will enjoy every minute of it.

This week, instead of working, McElderry was supposed to be a witness in the trial of Darian Maurice Wright.

Testifying meant reliving Jan. 5, 2005, the day he and Wright fought in the yard of a south Seminole Heights home. Wright bit McElderry's face. McElderry tore open Wright's nostril.

Then, Wright grabbed McElderry's .40-caliber Beretta handgun. It fired and McElderry was shot in the leg.

To avert a trial, Wright pleaded guilty last week to 13 felony and misdemeanor charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison followed by 10 years' probation. Wright must receive psychiatric treatment while on probation.

"It's good to see justice being served," McElderry told The Tampa Tribune on Monday.

McElderry said he had never been shot before and was unsure of the legal process. He said he was glad for the professionalism exhibited by the Tampa Police Department - who arrested Wright - as well as the state attorney's office. McElderry said his superiors were more than accommodating.

"The highway patrol, from the colonel on down, said to take the time I needed, not just for court but for my family," he said.

Just 28 days after his injury, McElderry returned to his patrol. He said he does not dwell on the shooting while performing his duties.

"Ninety-nine percent of people I deal with are good people," McElderry said. "They're just running late or accidentally cut somebody off."