A Milton police officer, known affectionately in the community as the "teddy bear," was critically injured early Wednesday while attempting to detain a suspect with an outstanding drug warrant near the Pierce/King County line. The incident took place in a Taco Bell parking lot, marking a dramatic turn of events that has left the town in shock.
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The Incident
Officer Haney, who is widely loved and respected in Milton, was on patrol with Officer Wilcox when they spotted the suspect. The man, wanted on a narcotics warrant, was standing near another vehicle in the Taco Bell parking lot near Meridian Ave E and 8th St E. According to employees, the Taco Bell was closed at the time.
JUST IN | Milton police officer suffers life threatening injuries after being run over while trying to take a suspect into custody for an outstanding drug warrant near the Pierce/King County line.
— Steve McCarron KOMO (@SteveTVNews) June 19, 2024
Release below from Milton Police. pic.twitter.com/DzTzJKQEIN
Chief of Police Tony Hernandez provided details on the confrontation: "The officer fell from the vehicle and then the vehicle ran over both of his legs. It escalated quite quickly."
As Haney and Wilcox approached to make the arrest, the suspect fled towards a black SUV. "They were chasing him. He jumped in the vehicle," Hernandez explained. "There was a struggle as they reached the car." Despite Wilcox's warning to let the suspect go, Haney's arm was trapped behind the suspect. The SUV sped off, dragging Haney and causing him to fall, resulting in both legs being run over.
Critical Injuries and Heroic Actions
The wheels of the SUV ran over Haney’s upper thighs, causing severe fractures and other critical injuries. Wilcox quickly applied a tourniquet until EMTs arrived. "It could have been a lot worse. We could have had two dead individuals," Hernandez noted.
Kent Police managed to stop the suspect using a PIT maneuver. "They had to break out some windows and deploy pepper balls,"