BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - The police chief in Vermont’s largest city is praising one of his officers for showing restraint when a suspect backed a car toward the officer, nearly hitting him.
Body camera video shows Burlington Police Detective Cpl. Mike Hemond on foot with his weapon drawn and yelling at the driver to stop his car Saturday.
On Facebook, Burlington Police Chief Brandon Del Pozo praised Hemond for his “bravery and restraint” when he would have been legally allowed to shoot.
The driver was later identified as 31-year-old Andrew Lavallee, of Burlington.
Police say the encounter began when Hemond attempted to stop Lavallee’s car after Lavallee drove through a red light.
Lavallee has pleaded not guilty to a variety of charges. He’s being held without bail. Lavallee’s attorney had no comment.
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