Richard Deffley Jr. (Photo courtesy of Baxter County Sheriff’s Office)
A Midway man is accused striking a Baxter County deputy in an effort to get the officer to shoot him Thirty-four-year-old Richard Deffley Jr. is facing charges of third-degree battery on a police officer and resisting arrest.
According to an incident report from the sheriff’s office, the deputy responded Saturday evening to a report of a domestic incident on Arkansas Highway 5 North. While the deputy was traveling to the scene, 911 dispatch advised the female caller stated the male suspect, identified as Deffley, had a hammer and wanted law enforcement to shoot him. Dispatch later said Deffley dropped the hammer, but he still wanted to be shot by law enforcement.
The deputy arrived on the scene, and before he exited his patrol vehicle, a male allegedly ran toward him carrying a beer bottle and yelling for the deputy to shoot him. The male continued to yell his request as he reportedly got in the deputy’s face.
The deputy says he put his arms on the suspect’s shoulder and said he wasn’t going to shoot him, but he wanted to help with the situation. The male, later identified as Deffley, allegedly struck both of the deputy’s arms with his fists. The deputy pushed Deffley away to get some space between them and drew his taser. Deffley reportedly would not listen to the deputy’s commands as he charged toward him a second time. The taser was deployed, and Deffley was taken into custody.
The deputy later made contact with the caller. She explained she wasn’t certain what made Deffley angry, but he never struck or threatened her. She also stated Deffley intended to use the hammer on law enforcement if they arrived on the scene.
Deffley was released from the Baxter County Detention Center Monday morning after posting a bond of $1,000.
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