WATCH: Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Names Sgt. Chris Ferrante Deputy of the Year
By Space Coast Daily // April 2, 2021
heroic actions by Sgt. Chris Ferrante earns him Deputy of the Year
ABOVE VIDEO: The actions of Sergeant Ferrante resulted in the incapacitation of the suspect and stopped an armed felon who could have killed or caused serious injury to innocent victims.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – In March of 2020, West Precinct deputies responded to an armed carjacking in the county jurisdiction of Cocoa.
A description of the vehicle and suspect was broadcast, which led to the vehicle being observed at a local convenience store several hours later.
As a deputy approached, the driver exited the store and refused commands to stop, fleeing in the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The same vehicle was observed on multiple occasions and the BCSO Aviation Unit was able to get into a position to surveil the vehicle.
The vehicle traveled through the city of Rockledge and Cocoa until traveling east on State Road 520 toward Merritt Island.
As the vehicle cleared the H&H Bridge, Deputy Matthew Rush was able to deploy stop sticks, successfully striking both driver’s side tires. The suspect continued driving until abandoning the vehicle in front of a convenience store located at State Road 520 and North Tropical Trail.
As the suspect ran into the store parking lot, Sergeant Chris Ferrante arrived on the scene and was able to position his agency SUV to block the suspect’s avenue of escape. The suspect entered a vehicle that was parked at the gas pumps, however seeing his route to escape was blocked, again took flight on foot toward the intersection.
As the suspect was fleeing, Corporal Gary Haas observed a firearm in his hands and announced on the radio that the suspect was armed. The suspect began running up to cars that were stopped in the intersection, attempting to force his way into their vehicles with Sergeant Ferrante and Corporal Haas pursuing on foot.
Knowing that the suspect was armed, and fearing for the safety of the citizens stopped at the traffic light, Sergeant Ferrante was able to take a position that would enable him to address and neutralize the imminent threat to the community.
Sergeant Ferrante used a break in the flow of traffic, and his position of advantage to discharge his firearm, striking the suspect and eliminating the potential for further violence.
The actions of Sergeant Ferrante resulted in the incapacitation of the suspect and stopped an armed felon who could have killed or caused serious injury to innocent victims.
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