(ST. CLAIR COUNTY) – Deputy Mike Westphal was presented with a St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Department Citation Thursday, for his actions in apprehending an armed suspect who had multiple felony warrants.
On December 5th of last year information was received of a subject who had several felony warrants and was going to be in a specific location.
Sheriff Mat King said Deputy Westphal set up surveillance and while he attempted to make contact with the subject, a foot pursuit began.
The subject pulled a .22 caliber handgun and pointed it directly at Deputy Westphal who at that point transitioned from his taser to his handgun and requested backup, according to the Sheriff.
Deputy Westphal, a 19-year veteran of the department, continued to pursue the subject on foot and then in his patrol vehicle, ultimately resulting in the arrest of the subject.
At the time of the arrest, Deputy Westphal located the handgun on the subject’s person.
Sheriff King said after reviewing bodycam footage, he found Westphal’s actions to be very brave and professional with a suspect who had pointed a handgun at the deputy.
