NEWS RELEASE                                             

For Immediate Release
April 30, 2009
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
  (850) 651-7420

CRESTVIEW MAN RAMS DEPUTYS PATROL CAR

A Crestview man is charged with aggravated battery on a police officer, a first degree felony, after intentionally ramming a deputy's patrol car Wednesday.

A deputy was called to the home of 24-year old Joseph John Powell, 4714 Connor Drive in Crestview, around ten o'clock Wednesday evening, for a disturbance in progress call.

As the officer arrived he spotted Powell leaving his home in a Dodge Dakota pickup truck. As the deputy turned around, Powell suddenly threw his vehicle in reverse and accelerated rapidly, deliberately striking the driver's side front and rear door of the patrol car. Powell accelerated away and then stopped suddenly. The deputy got out of his car with his weapon drawn and approached Powell's truck. Powell then jumped out of his vehicle and laid on the ground. He was held at gunpoint until backup units arrived to handcuff him.

The deputy's Ford Explorer vehicle suffered extensive damage.

Powell was transported to the Okaloosa County jail in Crestview on a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.

Mug shot is available at the Okaloosa County Jail in Crestview.

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