Good Samaritans Save Trooper’s Life During Brutal Attack

Richmond, VA – The Virginia State Police have credited two good Samaritans with saving the life of a state trooper on Wednesday after he was attacked on the side of the road during a traffic stop.

The incident occurred at about 11:38 a.m. on Sept. 16 when Virginia State Police Trooper M.W. Deus affected a traffic stop on a vehicle he saw speeding on Interstate 64 in Henrico County, WRIC reported.

Trooper Deus detected a strong smell of marijuana in the vehicle and ordered the driver – later identified as 23-year-old Jimenez Remigios – to get out of the car.

Remigios complied with the trooper’s instructions initially and took a seat on the guardrail, WRIC reported.

But police said that when Trooper Deus returned to his patrol car, Remigios reached into his vehicle and grabbed something, then he proceeded to lob it over the guardrail and into the woods.

The trooper saw the driver throw the item and went back over to him, WRIC reported.

Police said Remigios became combative and a struggle ensued.

The suspect punched Trooper Deus in the face and then attempted to seize his service weapon from his holster, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

That’s when two motorists driving by saw what was happening.

The good Samaritans stopped their vehicle and jumped in to pull Remigios off of the trooper he was attacking, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.

They were able to hold the suspect down until backup arrived to assist the injured law enforcement officer.

Authorities recovered a bag of marijuana from the woods, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

“We are greatly appreciative of the valiant actions put forth by the two men who came to the aid” of Trooper Deus, Virginia State Police Captain Ted E. Jones, the commander of the agency’s Richmond Division, told reporters after the incident. “There is no telling how this situation may have ended had these men not arrived when they did and had the suspect taken possession of the trooper’s firearm.”

Remigios was arrested and charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, damage to property, and speeding, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.