Man attacks, bites police chief of tiny SC town while he’s in patrol car, sheriff says
The police chief in a tiny Chester County town of just two police officers is hospitalized after being punched and bitten while in his patrol car, deputies said.
Fort Lawn Police Department Chief David Hayes is at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill to be treated, said Chester County Sheriff Max Dorsey, who spoke with the chief after the attack.
The extent of Hayes’ injuries has not been released, but Dorsey said two unidentified bystanders who intervened during the struggle were instrumental in helping subdue the suspect.
“The actions of these heroic citizens before law enforcement help arrived to assist Chief Hayes proved to be invaluable to the chief’s safety in this case,” said Dorsey, who was the first deputy on the scene.
Fort Lawn, a town of 800 residents, is on the eastern edge of Chester County near the Catawba River. The department has two full-time officers: the chief and one patrol officer, Dorsey said.
The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. Friday on Shirley Road in Fort Lawn. Hayes was responding to a call about a man acting in an unusual manner, Dorsey said.
Hayes stopped his patrol car to talk to the man, identified as Amilleo D. Mingo, 21, through his open window. He was preparing to get out of the car to speak with Mingo, Dorsey said.
But, “before Chief Hayes could get out of the vehicle, the suspect dove through the window and attacked him,” Dorsey said.
Hayes was bitten and punched, Dorsey said.
Hayes was able to open the patrol car door, and both men tumbled out of the patrol car into a roadside ditch. The two bystanders helped Hayes get the suspect handcuffed and restrained at the bottom of the ditch.
Dispatch was able to send out a radio call to report an officer was in a fight, Dorsey said.
After Dorsey arrived, more deputies, S.C. Highway Patrol troopers and other police helped at the scene, Dorsey said.
Mingo was arrested and taken to the hospital in Chester, Dorsey said. Mingo was taken later Friday night to the Chester County Jail and is charged with assault on a police officer, Dorsey said. The investigation is ongoing and other charges may be pending, Dorsey said.
The sheriff’s office is handling the investigation because Hayes, the Fort Lawn chief, is the victim in the crime, Dorsey said.
Response praised
Randy Newman, 6th Circuit Solicitor, and Candice Lively, 6th Circuit Deputy Solicitor, were briefed on the attack. Lively praised Hayes, the other officers and the residents who helped.
“Chief Hayes represents the fearless response of law enforcement when a call is made to protect the public,” Lively said. “We will prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest, and are proud of the response by Chief Hayes and his willingness to put himself in harm’s way.”
Shane Stuart, Chester County Supervisor and a former Chester County Sheriff’s Office deputy, said he is “hopeful for the chief’s speedy recovery.”
“The dangers our law enforcement officers face on a daily basis continues with every call, and today was no exception” Stuart said. “We are extremely thankful and commend several citizens who intervened to ensure the suspect was placed under arrest.”
Officers have patrol car dash cam video but it appears that Hayes’ body camera was knocked off during the struggle, Dorsey said.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
This story was originally published January 10, 2020 at 8:28 PM.
