Witness Helped Save Deputy Under Attack

A Pasco County deputy transporting a prisoner to the Land O' Lakes Jail early this morning found himself under attack.

According to the sheriff's office, the deputy was transporting Osvaldo Flores to jail after he'd been arrested in connection with a domestic violence injunction.

Flores, however, had other plans.

He “was able to get his handcuffs around to his front and started kicking out the window of the patrol car around Little Road and Decubellis” in the New Port Richey area, according to a sheriff's office media release. The deputy pulled over at the 6926 Little Road 7-Eleven around 12:20 a.m.

As the deputy was parking, Flores climbed out of the patrol car and charged the deputy. When the deputy tried to subdue him, Flores got his handcuffs around the deputy’s neck.

The deputy "was in a struggle for his life," Sheriff Chris Nocco said at a press conference Friday. "(Flores) was trying to kill him, there's no doubt."

A citizen came to assist the deputy, and the deputy was able to fend off the attack until other deputies arrived.

"I can't thank them enough," Nocco said."We have great people in Pasco County."

The citizen's name is not being released by the sheriff's office at this time, but that person will be getting an award, Nocco said.

The deputy suffered lacerations and cuts to the face but was not seriously injured.

Flores is "lucky to be alive," Nocco said. "He tried to kill one of our deputies and that won't happen in our county."

Flores, of 7145 Adare Drive, New Port Richey, now faces charges of escape and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

Flores is no stranger to the Pasco County justice system. He’s been convicted on felony charges multiple times over the past 12 years or so. Previous convictions include a 2011 fleeing or eluding a police officer case and a 2006 grand theft auto charge.

Patch editor Keli Sipperley contributed to this report.