By C1 Staff
BOLEY — An off-duty deputy out on a Sunday drive with his wife happened across two prison escapees still garbed in their gray prison uniforms.
Okmulgee News reports that Jim Rasmussen spotted the two inmates on Highway 62 and pulled over to apprehend the escapees.
A third inmate had been recaptured Saturday, but Rasmussen knew these two were still at large. He told his wife to call 911 before exiting the vehicle and identifying himself as an Okmulgee County Deputy. Rasmussen ordered the two inmates to the ground at gunpoint.
Another man who had been speaking with the inmates began to vouch for them, even stepping briefly in front of the deputy’s weapon.
When Rasmussen clarified that the two men were escaped inmates, the man backed off.
“The bystander seemed to be more concerned with what was happening with the escapees than their own safety or the public’s safety,” Rasmussen said. “I told him, you must be confused about who the good guy is and the bad guys are.”
Rasmussen kept the two inmates detained until prison officials could arrive to take the two inmates into custody.
Rasmussen has been employed with the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s office for less than a month, but he is a seasoned officer with over 14 years’ experience working in law enforcement. He is also a retired First Sergeant, serving 22 years in the Air Force.
“We felt like he would be an asset to our team and he now proves he fits the bill. Whether on duty or off, we are proactive to protect and serve, contrary to the recent public opinion across the nation,” said Okmulgee County Sheriff Eddy Rice.