Citizen shoots, kills motorist attacking sheriff’s deputy
A motorist was shot and killed by a citizen on Monday after allegedly attacking a deputy.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy Dean Bardes was assisting the Florida Highway Patrol with an unrelated traffic crash on Interstate 75. During this time, Edward Strother, 52, entered the crash site with his vehicle and narrowly missed striking Bardes, according to officials.
Bardes believed the act was intentional and gave pursuit southbound on I-75.
The pursuit ended on the southbound off ramp at Corkscrew Road, according to officials. As Bardes exited his patrol car, Strother exited his vehicle and attacked him, slamming Bardes to the ground.
Once on the ground, Strother pinned Bardes on his back and continued his physical attack on the deputy. Bardes could not break free and was struggling to retain his weapon from Strother.
Officials reported that deadly force was being used for a second time against Bardes.
A citizen, witnessing the events, came to the aid of Bardes. The man, who is a concealed weapons permit holder, ordered Strother off of Bardes several times but Strother ignored his commands.
Fearing death or great bodily harm to Bardes was imminent, the man fired his weapon ending the attack, according to officials. The man believed that such force was necessary to end the attack.
As of Monday, Strother had an active misdemeanor arrest warrant for failure to appear on a battery charge in Florida, officials at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said. He had no felony convictions.
Sheriff Mike Scott released the following statement:
“The multiple egregious acts of aggression toward law enforcement officers across this country over the recent past have taken us all by surprise. Just this last weekend four law enforcement officers lost their lives to deadly attacks.
“Deputy Dean Bardes faced a similar set of circumstances on the morning of Nov. 14, 2016. After a short vehicle pursuit, Dean found himself in the fight of his life as he served to preserve the peace and dignity of this fine community. At the end of the pursuit Dean was viciously attacked by the motorist he just stopped.
“During this brutal confrontation Dean sustained physical injuries which he will recover from. I appreciate Dean’s courage, and I pray for his full recovery.
“I want to thank the many motorists who offered themselves as eyewitnesses. My deepest and sincere appreciation goes to the citizen who engaged the crazed assailant and stopped the imminent threat of great bodily harm or death to our deputy.”