A Florida man who shot and killed an assailant attacking a sheriff’s deputy on a busy interstate will not face criminal charges, the State Attorney’s Office announced.The case, involving a courageous intervention by a good Samaritan, highlighted…A Florida man who shot and killed an assailant attacking a sheriff’s deputy on a busy interstate will not face criminal charges, the State Attorney’s Office announced.
The case, involving a courageous intervention by a good Samaritan, highlighted complex issues around self‑defense law, civilians aiding law enforcement, and the risks law enforcement officers face every day.
The Incident: What Happened on Interstate 75
The violent encounter occurred on the morning of November 14 on Interstate 75 near Estero, in Lee County, Florida.
Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy First Class Dean Bardes, a highly experienced officer, was assisting Florida Highway Patrol troopers at the scene of a traffic crash when an unrelated vehicle sped past at a high rate of speed along the highway shoulder.
Deputy Bardes attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, a grey Toyota Camry driven by 53‑year‑old Edward Strother.
Instead of complying, Strother allegedly continued driving erratically and at a high speed, nearly striking the officer and prompting Bardes to pursue him briefly before Strother ultimately stopped on an off‑ramp.
