Off-duty police officer disarms knife-wielding attacker
Sergeant Jason Etheredge was driving in the area of 509 South Ponce De Leon Boulevard yesterday at about 4:45 p.m. when he noticed the two men in the beginning stages of a fight.
According to Etheredge’s statement, as he pulled his truck over he saw the man identified as 53-year-old Paul Lamar Milar, who resides at 3375 Old Moultrie Road in St Augustine, attempt to stab the other person in the chest.
Etheredge jumped out of his truck with his duty weapon and badge, identified himself as a police officer, and ordered Milar to the ground. Milar complied and Sgt. Etheredge asked another passerby to call 911 while he kept the suspect on the ground.
Other officers quickly arrived and took over the investigation.
According to the incident report, the victim, a 43-year-old man who also resides in St Augustine, passed Milar on the sidewalk. Milar reportedly challenged the victim asking, “What did you call me?”
The victim stated that when he responded to Milar, and told him that he hadn’t said anything to him, Milar kicked him in the stomach.
Milar pulled out his knife and said, “I’m going to kill you” and attempted to strike the victim in the chest with the knife — but missed. That is when Sgt. Etheredge intervened.
Milar was taken into custody and transported to the St Johns County Detention Facility where he remains in custody in lieu of $9,000 bond; charged with aggravated assault with a weapon and battery.