• By Ashleigh Sloop
• Posted Thursday, February 28, 2013

2012 Sworn Staff Member of The Year

On October 4, 2012 Deputy Sorrell responded to a Disturbance with Weapons call. Upon arrival, Deputy Sorrell found two females on the front porch of the residence who claimed that the disturbance had been defused and the other subject was inside. As Deputy Sorrell exited his marked patrol vehicle, he saw a male subject walk towards him from behind the residence carrying an AK-47 assault rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun. The subject lowered the assault rifle and took aim at Deputy Sorrell. Deputy Sorrell quickly took cover behind his vehicle, notified Sheriff’s Office Communications of the situation, and gave orders to the subject.

Soon thereafter, gun shots were exchanged and the subject retreated to the woods behind the residence. Deputy Sorrell used this opportunity to perform a tactical retreat and take cover from a safer location until additional units arrived to assist. The suspect was ultimately taken into custody without injury to life. Even after he came under fire and his vehicle was struck by multiple high power rifle rounds, Deputy Sorrell was able to maintain his composure and clearly communicate with responding units.

Deputy Sorrell’s training, instinct, and ability to perform under pressure, undoubtedly, saved his own life and the lives of others when this seemingly “routine” incident took a turn for the worse. Congratulations Deputy Sorrell!