He's an unlikely hero, with a criminal record himself, but 35-year-old Anthony Stinnett said he didn't even think twice about helping out a Pasco Sheriff's deputy as he struggled for his life.

"I didn't really think about it," Stinnett says. "I just saw someone that was in serious trouble. And I wanted to help."

Stinnett was making a late night trip to the 7-Eleven on Little Road in New Port Richey, when a patrol car pulled into the parking lot. He said he immediately heard a banging noise, and looked over to see 33-year-old Osvaldo Flores, under arrest and for domestic violence, trying to kick out the car window.

"Finally, the window just blew out of the car and this guy just jumped out like a bullet," Stinnett says. "And the guy just tackled the cop. He was on him and had the handcuffs behind him and was choking him."

Stinnett quickly sprang into action and yanked Flores off the deputy. Still handcuffed, Flores tried to run away. But Stinnett quickly tackled him to the ground by the legs and held him there while the deputy called for backup.

Speaking to the media Thursday afternoon, Stinnett admits to his own criminal past, including battery charges. He said he hopes this will be a turning point in his life.

"I've been trying to straighten my ways up and staying out of trouble," Stinnett said. "And he needed my help and I was there to help him."

Stinnett says once the scene was cleared, he went into the 7-Eleven, picked up some soda and headed home with his family.

The sheriff's office plans to award him with their citizens service award for his heroism next week.

Meanwhile, Flores is still behind bars facing charges for escape and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.