DESOTO COUNTY, Miss. — City officials celebrated a DeSoto County deputy’s heroism after he drove into the path of a wrong-way driver to save others from harm.
Deputy Brian Brock has 10 years of experience and earned the Resolution of Respect for his actions earlier this month.
On Mar. 4., Deputy Brock was injured by a driver going the wrong way on I-269.
“I saw the car getting closer. I understood that there was no time to perform a PIT maneuver and everything would have been caustic, So, I tugged to my seatbelt and pulled out to the path of that vehicle,” said Brock.
Sheriff Tuggle said the vehicle narrowly missed several cars as it was traveling in the wrong direction on I-269. The Mississippi Highway Patrol identified the driver as 54-year-old Tracy Balton of Olive Branch, Miss.
According to Sheriff Tuggle, it’s because of the deputy’s selfless actions the alleged suspect, Balton, was able to be charged and many lives were saved.
“This is what you signed up for and that is to protect the people that basically elected you but also build an agency of unselfish individuals and that’s what we have in Desoto County,” said Tuggle.
Brock said that he did suffer minor injuries, but he is happy to be honored for his hard work and to celebrate with his wife and four children.
“It’s a feeling I’ve never felt before, so it’s kind of hard to explain,” said Brock. “I mean obviously nervous but extremely grateful for everything.”
Balton is charged with felony fleeing a law enforcement officer. She has no bond and a court date is set for April 9.