CRAWFORDVILLE, FLA. (WTXL) - A Tulsa Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy Sheriff was in national headlines recently after accidentally shooting a suspect during a pursuit. Many local sheriffs departments have similar reserve deputy programs including the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office.
In Tulsa, 73-year-old Reserve Deputy Robert Bates was video taped pursuing 44-year-old Eric Harris. In the video you can hear a shot fired and Bates saying "Oh I shot him, I'm sorry...."
Bates says he meant to tase the suspect but grabbed his gun instead. Harris died from the gun shot.
The Wakulla County Sheriff's Office requires their reserve deputies to go through the same training that their full-time deputies go through. The main difference between a reserve deputy and a full time deputy is hours and wage, says the department.
Captain Meek with the Wakulla County Sheriff's Office says many people decide to become a reserve deputy to gain experience, "Being a smaller program they are able to gain experience here, but we have a structured program."
The department currently has 20 reserve deputies and hopes to add more. Captain Meek says these deputies save the county money, as well as provide more assistance to the department.
