Off Duty Cop earns Award

FOLLOW UP TO:

Escapee on the Run
Lone Off Duty Cop Apprehends Escapee

Cpl. Joey Patsourakos
Williston, SC Police Dept.

On August 20, Cpl. Patsourakos was off duty when he single-handedly captured one Perry Sullivan, who was  the object of an intense 3 day manhunt after he had over powered a Georgia Deputy, stealing his guns and patrol car.

On Sept. 10, Patsourakos and his wife will travel to the Philadelphia area to accept the first ever Law Enforcement Cross from the American First Responder Institute Heraldry's inaugural fund raising event titled, "An Evening with Heroes."

The First Responder Institute Heraldry Facebook page extols itself as the first of its kind in recognizing first responders; "The American First Responder Institute of Heraldry recognizes the service and sacrifice of American First Responders. It accomplishes this mission by defining the requirements for the design, artistry, wearing, and display of the authorized medals, awards, decorations and appurtenances. It also provides accountability & quality control in the manufacturing and distribution of these awards."

Congratulations on a job well done, Corporal.  We salute you.

Lone off duty Cop Apprehends Escapee

Follow up to previous story of

  ESCAPEE ON THE RUN

New details have been released concerning the escape, 3 day manhunt, and then the subsequent apprehension of Perry Sullivan.

Sullivan who was already in custody in GA on a burglary charge, was being transported by a Stephens Co., GA Sheriff's Deputy to and from Colleton County, SC. While on the return trip to GA, Sullivan managed to slip out of his handcuffs then convinced the transporting officer to stop so he could be sick.  He assaulted the deputy and a struggle ensued.
Luckily, a citizen was watching the whole incident  and he grabbed a deer rifle.  He lined up his sight and yelled at Sullivan to surrender. Sullivan threw the Deputy on the ground and stole his patrol car which contained both a shotgun and .40 cal semi-auto pistol. This citizen was able to get a shot off at the escaping patrol car, believing he hit the gas tank.

The whole incident started near a convenience store, and then almost 3 days later, Sullivan had double backed to the same location from where he escaped.  Guess he got lost.  This time, he enters the convenience store and armed with the deputy's .40 cal., holds several people at gunpoint, steals some food and a car belonging to one of the customers.

Cpl. Joe Patsourakos

Cpl. Joe Patsourakos of the Williston Police Dept., was in the area teaching a class.  He had his portable radio scanner with him, and heard the BOLO  about Sullivan's robbery and theft of a blue SUV. He left his class and set up a roadblock with his own personal vehicle, essentially lying in wait for Sullivan. The escapee drove straight in to Cpl. Patsourakos' trap. Once Sullivan experienced a sight laser in his face, he stopped the car, exited, and surrendered without incident.
Cpl. Patsourakos had single-handedly captured an armed and dangerous felon who was on the run for almost 3 days.
NICE WORK!

After his escape, Sullivan was labeled a flight risk and was temporarily housed in a maximum security facility pending his arraignment. Today, Sullivan was arraigned on 29 criminal charges stemming from this incident.  They include; Felony Escape, Assault & Battery on a Police Officer, Kidnapping, Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle (2 x), Armed Robbery, and assorted other charges.