Hillsborough Deputy Contact Mentally Ill Man With A Knife - Officer Safety Fail - Never Sees Hands

Deputy Williams took Furgason's right arm and attempted to detain him. Unknown to the deputy, Furgason had a knife on him. Furgason pulled the knife out with his left hand, reached over his right shoulder, and stabbed Deputy Williams in the neck.

Furgason again fled from the area while ignoring verbal commands from Deputy Williams to stop. Deputy Williams continued his pursuit for another 100 yards before successfully deploying his taser on Furgason. At this time, both Deputy Williams and Deputy Cruz were able to detain him.

After applying QuikClot gauze to the laceration on his neck, Deputy Williams was transported to a local hospital. He was released on Monday morning.

"This is a prime example of the dangers deputies face while trying to serve and protect our community every day," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Deputy Williams used an incredible amount of restraint after being stabbed in the neck by deploying less-lethal force on an individual who attempted to take his life. We are grateful that Deputy Williams was not more seriously injured and will make a full recovery, however, that does not make this incident any less severe. We will see to it that this individual is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for his actions."

Furgason was also taken to the hospital for evaluation. He was cleared and then booked into jail. He is charged with Attempted Felony Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting an Officer With Violence, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence. He is being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail on no bond.

Furgason was arrested in February of 2019 on charges including Battery (Domestic Violence), Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence.

Deputy Williams has been employed with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office since September of 2017.