Heroes Spotlight

There are only two things in life that mean
more to Deputy Deryk Collins than law
enforcement and flying airplanes. Those
two things are his relationship with his
Lord and his family. On the afternoon of
Friday, November 13, 2009, while on
patrol he was dispatched to assist a
Centerville Police Officer. The officer had
taken a shoplifter into custody from the
local mall and transported him to the
police department. At the PD, the suspect
assaulted the officer and was able to take
her taser and flee wearing one handcuff. When Deputy Collins received the call
he was less than a mile from the scene and arrived within a minute. He exited his
patrol car, and knowing the suspect had already assaulted one officer, and was
armed with at least a taser, he elected to carry his M-16 Assault Rifle with him.

As he and other officers began searching the neighborhood in which the suspect
fled, Deputy Collins quickly located him hiding in a truck. He ordered him out at
gunpoint and told him to lie on the ground. At first he complied, but then quickly
rolled toward the deputy, grabbed the muzzle of the rifle, and used his other
hand to take Collins to the ground. The two then began fighting over the rifle but
the suspect was unable to gain control of it. While Collins held on to the rifle, the
suspect then began beating him in the head with the one handcuff that was
dangling from his wrist. As he was bleeding from the head wounds and
beginning to feel dazed, the suspect then began tugging at his taser. Collins
knew that this was a fight for his life, and also that if he didn’t stop him, his fellow
officers would have to face this guy armed with a rifle.

As the suspect’s attention was on the taser, Collins was able to draw his
handgun and shoot the suspect in the side. The suspect then screamed and
instinctively grabbed the muzzle of the handgun. With both men holding onto the
weapon they fell to the ground on top of it, at which time the gun went off again
shooting Deputy Collins in the finger. The suspect then started to flee as an
approaching officer fired at him. Wounded, he fled into a nearby house and
assaulted an elderly man before finally being captured. Deputy Collin’s actions,
and ability to think clearly in an intense fight for his life, most likely saved the
lives of others. For this reason, Simple Message Ministries proudly honors him
as a hero.

For he is the minister of God to thee for good.
But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the
minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must
needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye
tribute also: for they are God's ministers,
attending continually upon this very thing.
Romans 13:4-6

HEROES SPOTLIGHT
A place to shine the positive light on our police officers that they
deserve, rather than what is seen so many times on TV.
(Articles, or writings are updated periodically)

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