Jason Futch
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Two months after a dramatic scene unfolded in Live Oak, a new chapter began in the healing process for Deputy Justin Dalton, as he is now back on active duty with the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO). Along with Deputy Dalton’s return to service, officers with the Live Oak Police Department (LOPD) were commended for their responsiveness to the incident that unfolded on Friday, Feb. 7, at the recent Live Oak City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 8.
Following the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) conclusion of its investigation into the officer-involved shooting, LOPD held a ceremony commemorating the efforts Deputy Dalton, along with various members of the agency, made during the morning pursuit. Caroway, who was wanted for a double murder in Gadsden County, made his way to Suwannee County, where two LOPD officers ultimately killed him after attempting to draw on them. FDLE has since cleared those officers, who were identified as Sergeant Mark Pierce and Officer Brandie Harden.
Deputy Dalton was part of a law enforcement entourage that attempted to pull murder suspect Dominic Caroway over and apprehend him in Suwannee County. When Caroway crashed his vehicle near Wayne Frier Mobile Home Park, he engaged in gunfire with the responding officers. While engaging Caroway, Deputy Dalton was struck twice: once in his protective vest and once on his foot. Following the gunfight, Caroway was able to escape from the scene towards a tree line.
LOPD Sergeant Gerald Butler, Officer Evelio Alvarez and Officer Andrew Cook, along with members of SCSO, pursued Caroway into the tree line despite being under fire from Caroway. Despite the efforts, Caroway disappeared.
During the pursuit, multiple agencies throughout North Florida took part in attempting to apprehend Caroway. Ultimately, he was located near Suwannee Pinestraw by LOPD Sergeant Pierce and Officer Harden. According to Chief Keith Davis, Caroway pointed a firearm at the officers with an obvious intention to fire upon them. Sergeant Pierce and Officer Harden shot Caroway before he was able to shoot them.
During the Live Oak City Council presentations, Chief Davis awarded Sergeant Butler and Officers Alvarez and Cook with the Chief’s Award for their act of bravery in pursuing Caroway. In contrast, Sergeant Pierce and Officer Harden were awarded the LOPD Medal of Honor, a prestigious award given to officers who go above and beyond to protect the citizens of the city.
Deputy Ayla Creech was also presented as Deputy of the First Quarter by Sheriff Sam St. John in a private ceremony at the SCSO Criminal Investigations Division office for her role in attempting to apprehend Caroway. Deputy Creech, a 10-year law enforcement veteran from Lake County, serves as one of SCSO’s field training deputies.
Deputy Dalton was honored for his bravery by the state legislature shortly after sustaining his injuries, with Representative Jason Shoaf and Senator Corey Simon presenting him a state flag that was flown over the capitol during a delegation meeting on Monday, Feb. 10. Since returning to active duty, he continues to serve as a K-9 deputy, along with his trusted partner Kano.