Press Release

Deputies of the Month July 2021
(L-R) Lieutenant Cary Chapman, Sergeant John Wren, Sergeant Mathew Hall,
Deputy Curtis Briles, Deputy Sean Gilbert & Deputy Aaron Winslow

On June 26, 2021, deputies were dispatched to a vandalism at business on Cortez Road. A male subject was upset and caused damage to the glass door of the business. Within a few minutes of the arrival of deputies, the suspect returned in his vehicle and parked next to a gas pump close to the building.

When Deputy Sean Gilbert approached the suspect, the suspect poured approximately one gallon of gasoline on himself, the ground and inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. He grabbed a lighter and threatened to light himself and the vehicle on fire. Deputy Curtis Briles arrived and began speaking with the man while Deputy Gilbert began evacuating nearby businesses. After approximately 20 minutes of speaking with the suspect, it was evident to Deputy Briles he was not going to exit the vehicle.

The Fire Department provided Lieutenant Cary Chapman and Sergeant John Wren with oversized CO2 and water fire extinguishers. They approached the suspect’s vehicle without being noticed and relayed a plan of action to Deputy Aaron Winslow and Sergeant Mathew Hall who were near Deputy Briles. Deputy Briles saw his chance to gain control of the lighter when the suspect moved it from one hand to the other. He moved in and grabbed the suspect’s arm. Just as he did, Lieutenant Chapman and Sgt. Wren emptied the extinguishers into the passenger side of the vehicle covering the suspect and the inside of the vehicle. Sergeant Hall and Deputies Winslow and Briles removed the suspect from the vehicle and he was taken into custody without sustaining any injuries.

For their quick response and disregard for their own safety, Lieutenant Cary Chapman, Sergeant Mathew Hall, Sergeant John Wren, Deputy Curtis Briles, Deputy Sean Gilbert, and Deputy Aaron Winslow are awarded the agency’s Deputy of the Month for July.