Two St. Mary’s Sheriff’s deputies and a Maryland State Trooper were flown by helicopter to from the scene of a violent encounter with a wanted man Friday night.
The two injured St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s deputies were released Saturday. The status of the Maryland State Trooper has not yet been confirmed.
St. Mary’s Sheriff Lt. Daniel Alioto told The Bay Net this morning the suspect who attacked police and disarmed one deputy is fortunate police did not draw their weapons him.
“The trooper and deputies on the scene showed remarkable restrain for not using deadly force, because once deputy Maguire was disarmed that became as option,” Alioto said. “If the conditions on the scene were less cramped the out come would have been very different overall.”
Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to a Chaptico residence late Friday night after receiving information that John Lee Farrell Jr, 24 of Chaptico, was inside.
He was wanted for Burglary First and Third Degree, Theft under $100, Property Destruction, Trespassing (three counts) Burglary Fourth Degree and Resisting Arrest.
Deputies set up a perimeter around the home and Farrell was spotted inside. Officers saw him in the basement area and attempted to enter a rear door which, unknown to them, was fortified.
Farrell fled to the upper floor and continued to the top floor. Deputies entered the home through the front door, while maintaining an outside perimeter.
Farrell was located in the attic by Sheriff’s Office K-9 Frigo and support Deputies. After numerous K-9 commands and warnings were ignored, K-9 Frigo was dispatched.
Farrell still failed to comply and fought with the biting dog, and a physical altercation ensued with Deputy Gerhardt. The struggle became extremely violent.
Deputies in the attic and Farrell fell through the ceiling, causing incapacitating injuries to Deputy Cathcart.
Deputy Fleenor and K-9 Handler Deputy David Gerhardt where hanging from the ceiling after the collapse. Both received minor injuries and both refused medical treatment.
Suspect Farrell then encountered Deputy Maguire in the hallway below after falling through the ceiling. A violent confrontation ensued and Deputies shouted as Farrell was able to momentarily disarm the officer, until other Deputies and a Maryland State Trooper were able to assist, causing the weapon to become free on the floor of the room.
As the struggle continued for several moments and Officers also had to deal with Farrell’s mother, Sheila Loise Farrell, 48 of Chaptico.
Police say she photographed the incident as it unfolded and rendered no aid, as well as yelled and screamed at Officers. When Officers attempted to safeguard the evidence she was capturing, she tried to destroy it by smashing the camera.
She was arrested and charged with three counts of Hindering/Obstruction of Justice.
John Farrell Jr. was charged with disarming a Police Officer (Felony), Resisting Arrest (four counts) and four counts of Assault Second Degree were placed on him in addition to the above four open warrants.
Sheriff’s Office Deputies Shawn Cathcart and James Maguire, along with a Maryland State Trooper from the Leonardtown Barrack were flown to Prince Geo