By Bill Carey
Police1 Staff
SALLISAW, Okla. — A Sallisaw police captain prevented a pursuit suspect from approaching the Diamond Daze Festival, where many children were present, by crashing his patrol vehicle into the driver in a head-on collision.
According to a social media post by the City of Sallisaw, officers were pursuing the driver when he approached the crowded area and Captain John Weber took action to stop the pursuit, Fox 23 reported.
“The word hero sometimes is lost on folks,” the city’s post said. “Today, Sallisaw Police Captain John Weber performed a lifesaving, heroic act – all while completely placing his own life in jeopardy. Captain Weber, thank you for your selfless service and sacrifice. We pray you heal quickly.”
On social media, Sallisaw Police Chief Terry Franklin provided additional details about the pursuit. According to Franklin, Officer Wesley McGuirt and Weber received a report on Saturday that a pursuit was approaching the city while they were on duty.
“Captain Weber and Officer McGuirt were the last line of defense before the suspect’s vehicle would have entered the Diamond Daze event area,” Franklin said, later explaining that the vehicle going into the event would have caused “massive casualties.”
Franklin reported that Captain Weber sustained a broken wrist and McGuirt suffered cuts and bruises as a result of the crash. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol released a report stating that the suspect, Carlton Rucker of Plantation, Florida, and his two passengers were unharmed during the incident.