Log in Subscribe

Detective, suspect struck during foot pursuit

By DAVID MELSON - dmelson@t-g.com
Posted 7/2/22

The driver of a truck that struck both a Bedford County detective and a man he was chasing on foot Wednesday ended up playing a major role in the suspect’s arrest.  

Detective Lt. …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Detective, suspect struck during foot pursuit

Posted

The driver of a truck that struck both a Bedford County detective and a man he was chasing on foot Wednesday ended up playing a major role in the suspect’s arrest.  

Detective Lt. John Sweeney was attempting to apprehend Ronald Franklin Ferrell, 52, of Pass Road on North Hillcrest Drive when both ran into the street and were unintentionally knocked to the ground by the truck, driven by David Boner.  

No one was injured. Boner was not charged.  

“Ronald got back up and continued to run south as I pursued,” Sweeney said in his report. “The truck that struck us assisted in slowing him down by pulling in front of him, giving me a chance to catch up and take him into custody.”  

Ferrell pulled away and ran again as Sweeney attempted to walk him to a patrol car and handcuff him. Sweeney grabbed Ferrell after a short foot pursuit.  

“He continued to resist, so I took him to the ground and held him there,” Sweeney said.  

Boner called Bedford County Communications Center for backup by request of Sweeney, who was unable to reach his handcuffs or radio as Ferrell continued to resist arrest.  

Ferrell was brought under control when Officer Rod Stacy of the Shelbyville Police Department arrived with handcuffs. Ferrell was charged with resisting arrest, criminal impersonation — for initially claiming he was his brother — and driving on a revoked license.  

He is being held on $10,000bond at Bedford County Jail after being checked at Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital