Levy County Deputies not only are required to respond to calls of a
criminal nature, but they are frequently called upon to assist on medical related
calls. On October 21, 2021 just prior to midnight deputies were called to respond to
a distraught male who used a knife to cut his own throat in an attempt to take
his life.
Sergeant Jeremy Dean, Corporal Tucker Gaffey and Deputy Cody
Weaver arrived at the scene to find the subject standing in the yard bleeding
profusely from his neck. Deputies did not have cause to arrest the man when
they arrived on scene. However, this man refused to allow our deputies to render any first aid in an attempt to stop the
bleeding.
Deputies learned the subject was under the influence of methamphetamines
and was suffering from severe paranoia. The incident lasted over thirty minutes. Due to his continued resistance and repeated attempts to flee on foot, the deputies were forced to use a Taser to gain control of the person and get him the lifesaving medical attention he needed.
Our
deputies and Levy County Department of Public Safety personnel were exposed to this person's blood multiple times
during this call. The subject was not arrested and was ultimately transported
to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
This is a grim reminder of some of the hazards the drug epidemic creates for our
deputies and EMS personnel on a daily basis.
A short video has been included that was edited and compiled from almost half an hour of body camera footage captured during the dangerous incident. The video helps to show the public the level
of service, sacrifice and professionalism first responders exhibit on a daily basis.