By JUSTIN AVERETTE / Managing Editor

A Chilton County sheriff’s deputy got the shock of a lifetime Saturday – literally.

The deputy was tasered during a traffic stop near Jemison.

The deputy, whose name wasn’t release, pulled over a suspect for speeding around 3 p.m. in the 15,000 block of Chilton County 42.

Sheriff Kevin Davis gave the following account of what happened:

When the suspect pulled over into a residential yard, he got out of his vehicle and charged the deputy. The man, identified as John D. West, 28, of Jemison wrestled with the officer, eventually taking his Taser and shocking him.

The bolt stunned the deputy, knocking him to the ground. West then got back into his vehicle and allegedly tried to back over the officer.

The deputy then fired three bullets at the vehicle – one shattered the rear window and two shot out tires. With the vehicle disabled, West again fought the deputy before fleeing into nearby woods.

Sheriff’s deputies and state troopers captured West within 30 minutes near the same wooded area.

The deputy and suspect were both taken to Chilton Medical Center. 

Both men were treated for cuts and other minor injuries.

Davis said he’s thankful the situation wasn’t worse. 

“When the Taser was taken, that becomes a lethal situation,” said Davis. 

He said the deputy could have been backed over or shot by his lethal gun while disabled by the Taser.