Catoosa Co. Sheriff Describes a Dangerous Chase

CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF)- Law enforcement agencies are facing controversy around the nation but Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk held a press conference to show the public that officers walk a thin line between duty and danger.

Dash cam video shows what seemed like a routine traffic stop in Catoosa County.

It went from 0 to 100.

“I had a deputy Nathan Miller that pulled over a 1999 red Ford Crown Vic’ occupied by Andrew Daniel Medley” said Catoosa County Sheriff Gary Sisk.

Medley was pulled over for not wearing his seat belt.

It was discovered that Medley is a convicted felon from California.

Deputy Miller reported that Medley seemed nervous and was trying to hide something in his car.

“Seeing People reach under things while I’m talking to them or reach around, reach under seats, -things like that- I know from my past experiences what I have found in those areas while I’ve been out doing enforcement is that raises my heightened senses” said Sheriff Sisk.

The deputy noticed a gun in Medley’s hand and snatched it from him, placing the weapon on top of the vehicle.

“The officer felt like he had a split second and said ‘hey, I think I can grab that gun’.

Shortly after, Medley fled the scene only to crash his car about half a mile down the road.

Medley will be treated in the hospital before being placed behind bars.

The purpose of Sheriff Gary Sisk putting this incident on public display, was to highlight the dangers that can trigger an officers state of mind.

“Think about how this may effect that officer in every traffic stop he may have past that. To have that in the back of his mind, he may react differently based on his experiences.”

“I know you said the officer may feel more threatened going forward, are you concerned that he may feel threatened by someone who shares the same demographic as Medley?”

“No I don’t think so. It’s just something that of everyone’s experiences, you have to turn around and figure that factor in.”

Sheriff Sisk commends the deputies ability to de-escalate the situation.

“I also think it’s by the grace of God that it didn’t go in a bad direction. Something stopped Mr. Medley from pulling that trigger.”