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Deputy strikes armed felon with vehicle to avert threat in Palm Coast
A deputy’s quick actions likely prevented a deadly confrontation late Saturday night in Palm Coast, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A deputy’s quick actions likely prevented a deadly confrontation late Saturday night in Palm Coast, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Christopher Murphy was patrolling in Palm Coast on January 4 just before midnight when he came across Michael McDermott, 38, standing beside a bicycle on Pine Lakes Parkway.
When Deputy Murphy attempted to make contact, McDermott picked up the bicycle and began riding away.
Deputy Murphy attempted a traffic stop, but McDermott slowed down briefly before pedaling away quickly and turning onto Westminster Drive.
As Deputy Murphy followed, he saw McDermott pull a firearm from his waistband.
Fearing for his safety, Deputy Murphy struck McDermott with his patrol vehicle, causing him to fall from the bicycle and drop the firearm.
Deputy Murphy, with assistance from backup Deputy Michael Anderson, secured McDermott without further incident.
Deputies recovered a 9-millimeter Ruger firearm near McDermott, who was wearing a holster for the weapon.
McDermott, a convicted felon, was arrested on charges including assault or battery on a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, resisting an officer with violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He was transported to AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway for treatment of a minor ankle injury before being booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
Sheriff Rick Staly commended the deputies’ actions. "The job that a deputy sheriff does to proactively protect our community is a dangerous one, and deputies must often make split-second decisions," Staly said in a statement. "In this instance, Deputy Murphy was forced to make a split-second decision in a dangerous encounter with an armed felon. This incident could have taken a deadly turn, and I am thankful that the situation was quickly resolved before that became a reality."
According to the Sheriff’s Office, McDermott has an extensive arrest history in Flagler County dating back to 2013.
He had been released from the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on December 17, 2024, after serving a 90-day sentence for possession of fentanyl.
Nobody was injured in the incident. McDermott remains in custody as the investigation continues.
The Source: The information in this article comes from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
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