Kevin Robinson

krobinson4@pnj.com

An Escambia County deputy reportedly stabbed himself in the chest in an attempted suicide before driving his patrol vehicle into his wife's home Monday, according to a Milton Police Department offense report.

The 57-year-old deputy, whose name is redacted in the report, reportedly called in sick around 7:45 a.m. Monday, telling a supervisor he felt "loopy" after taking a Xanax pill. He reportedly claimed he did not feel comfortable driving his Sheriff's Office-issued Chevy Tahoe, the report said. Around 9:30 a.m., the deputy activated the "officer in trouble" emergency button on his radio, and in "slurred" speech told dispatchers he hit the button by mistake.

Escambia deputy crashes into Milton home

In-car video reportedly shows that at the time, the deputy was parked in the street with his vehicle facing a home in the 300 block of Merrill Drive. The deputy then accelerated, crashing through the wall of the residence and causing an estimated $30,000-$40,000 in damage. The occupant of the home, the deputy's wife, was not injured during the crash.

Milton police responded to the crash scene and were initially barred entry to the home by the deputy's wife, who reportedly told officers, "Please don't do this, he is fine."

The officers moved the woman aside and entered the home. They found the deputy on an air mattress in the living room with a stab wound to his chest. When the responding officer asked the deputy if he was trying to hurt himself, the deputy allegedly responded, "No, I was trying to kill myself ... 36 years of marriage down the drain."

The deputy was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital where he remains in treatment.

Woman stabbed in Cantonment

The offense report states the deputy violated DUI statutes by operating his Sheriff's Office vehicle while under the influence of Xanax. The report also notes he committed two criminal mischief violations by maliciously damaging property belonging to another and causing approximately $5,000 in damage to the patrol vehicle.

The State Attorney's Office is reviewing the case to determine if, and what, criminal charges are appropriate.

According to an ECSO spokesperson, the deputy's employment with the agency ended at 5 p.m. Friday.