LANCASTER – A 63-year-old woman was one of many citizens who stopped their cars and jumped out to help a female deputy who was being attacked on the side of the road Tuesday, according to Lancaster Station spokesman Michael Rust.
“We’re thankful for the people that intervened,” said Rust. “It quite possibly saved the deputy’s life.”
Rust said the deputy’s attacker, 24-year-old Danny Wright, was arrested for attempted murder on a police officer, carjacking and assault.
The incident began shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, Rust said.
Wright walked off the street and into The Living Gospel Church, located on 6th street west near Avenue M, where he assaulted a pastor and then left, Rust said. He then went into the automotive repair shop next door and attempted to steal a detailing truck from the owner, Rust said.
Wright then tried to steal keys from a woman to take her car, before proceeding down 6th street to Avenue M, where he encountered the female deputy, Rust said.
Rust said the deputy attempted to detain Wright from a distance of about 10 feet.
“She tells him to stay where he is and gives him commands,” said Rust. “He looks at her, and runs at her, and immediately grabs for her gun. So they both go to the ground and she is in a fight for her life.”
Rust said during the scuffle, Wright attempted to throw the deputy in front of a moving bus.
Rust said several citizens stopped their cars and jumped out to help the petite deputy who is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds.
“He could have easily won the fight had it continued for very long,” Rust said.
Thankfully, Rust said, the citizens were able to assist the female deputy until other deputies responded. Wright was then tasered and taken into custody.
Rust said they have not yet determined whether Wright was under the influence when he caused the disturbance Tuesday.
“But he definitely has some issues,” Rust said.
Wright remains in custody on $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday at the Antelope Valley courthouse.
Editor’s note: This article has been revised to reflect the following correction: “A 63-year-old woman was one of many citizens who stopped their cars and jumped out to help a female deputy…”
James says
I was troooooolin! Trololololol.
xD
That Deputy is a little bitch though, how did she get outta the academy alive!?
Harriet says
This is to James: You and your family should not be ashamed of her.
YOU are the one that the family should be ashamed of. Even if she were
bigger and stronger, these guys that are pumped up on drugs, rage, anger, are stronger than a lot of big burley officers. She did what she needed to do. You should be proud of her and ashamed of yourself.
James says
The petite deputy who is 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds is my sister. I will tell her she needs to go to the gym a little more, my family is disappointed in her.
Stinger says
I believe that your disappointment is unfair if you are basing it upon this one incident. If your sister is, indeed, as petite as described, then it takes a particularly brave spirit to go out every day to perform the job that she does. That one idiot was able to attack her successfully enough that she required the assistance of good samaritans of the community to overcome this idiot does not take away from the thousands of other situations that she has successfully controlled and secured the safety of the public.
Some more gym time? Perhaps. The more pain in training, the less blod lost in the field.
Some serious consideration as how to better handle such situations in the future? Certainly. Any cop should evaluate their actions in any given situation and try to improve their responses.
Gratitude for the community members that supported her in a tough bind? Definitely. Things could have been a LOT worse.
Disappointment by the Deputy’s family? No. You have much to be proud of her for.
James says
[Flagged for inflammatory content and removed]
Jacky Johnson says
Sounded like James was just having a friendly dig at his sister. Common amongst brothers and sisters.
Yvette Winans says
The 60 year old woman is my big sister Gale. The rest of the family and I are so proud of her. So glad she helped the police officer. Very grateful no one was killed.
Facts says
A BIG THANK YOU to your sister!
David Cox says
My auto mechanic was one of the victims in this incident. This account covers the bare bones. I’m sure there will be more information to come about the perpetrator as light is shed on his situation. Thank God the citizens are still willing these days to help a deputy. This was *not* the normal situation for this business area around and on West Avenue M! Far from it. . .
Tracy Adams says
The “60 y/o woman” was the pastor of my church! She’s truly an awesome woman!
Stinger says
It is good to see that even in light of our concerns with certain incidents involving our deputies, we are still supportive enough to come to the aid of one of our law enforcers when they really need it!
Kudos to those who helped in this potential tragedy! :-)