Chiefland Police Officer, Sheriff’s Deputy Honored for Valor

By Terry Witt- Spotlight Senior Reporter

Chiefland Police Chief Scott Anderson awarded certificates of valor Monday to one of his officers and a deputy sheriff who dodged a bullet fired by the fleeing driver on Jan. 1 before stopping him.

The officers were recognized for their heroism at the Chiefland City Commission meeting.

City Police Officer Timothy Patrick O’Shaughnessy and Deputy John Finkell pursued 37-year-old James Lorenzo Washington of Trenton as he ran several stop signs and forced several approaching drivers off the road.

O’Shaughnessy, the lead patrol officer, used his patrol car to force the pickup driven by Washington into an uncontrolled spin on Old Fanning Grade when Washington was traveling in excess of 80 mph.

The PIT maneuver (Precision Immobilization Technique) ended the high-speed chase and caused the truck to roll over into a ditch. Washington was arrested on 13 felony charges including attempting to murder both officers.

Washington was also arrested for knowingly driving without a license, using a license plate that belonged to someone else, and operating a vehicle that wasn’t registered with the state, all misdemeanor traffic violations.

His bond was set at $2.3 million at the time of his court appearance.

O’Shaughnessy had been trained in how to perform the PIT maneuver at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. He was on patrol in the 2300 block of Old Fanning Grade when he saw a yellow Chevy S-10 pickup driven by Washington. He knew Washington personally and was aware he didn’t have a valid driver’s license.

The city patrol officer had received a “be on the lookout (BOLO)” for Washington the day before from Finkell as a result of the FBI issuing a well-being check for Washington.

When O’Shaughnessy pulled in behind Washington to make the stop, Washington accelerated to 55 mph in a 35 zone and would not pull over. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren. Williams responded by increasing his speed to 83 miles per hour. Deputy Finkell was directly behind O’Shaughnessy in his patrol car participating in the chase.

Washington leaned out of his window and displayed a black pistol, firing a single shot at O’Shaughnessy and Finkell. O’Shaughnessy conducted the PIT maneuver to end the chase.

A LCP II .380 pistol was recovered at the scene and a white rock-like substance found in the vehicle tested positive for crack cocaine. The chase and arrest were captured on body camera footage.

Jewelry, knives, miscellaneous electronics, and prescription medicines were recovered belonging to Rachael Ann McLean.

Washington is a six-time convicted felon.