RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. -- A video recorded by a Randolph County deputy's body camera shows a man attacked a deputy with a knife. We are seeing the dangers our police are facing like we've never seen it before thanks to these body-worn cameras. The incident happened in December and WFMY News 2 got access to the footage.
"It's beautiful evidence. When you can show a jury or a judge exactly what happened at the scene and what the officer was faced with and why he chose whatever course of action he chose, a picture's worth a thousand words," said Sgt. Bernie Maness with the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.
Two deputies responded to a call from a concerned family member and in seconds that simple call turned violent. The suspect walks out of the home and stabs one of the deputies. Luckily, the deputy's vest stopped the knife.
"To see it, you realize the guy's intent was to harm this officer. And to stab him in the upper chest with a knife is pretty serious attempted injury," Sgt. Maness said.
Ironically, the sheriff's office is only testing two body cameras and one caught the attack on video.
"I think it helps. I like the cameras in the field because a lot times we get video that we never had. It helps us identify suspects," Maness said.
Sr. Patrol Deputy Jamie Brown wears one of the cameras in the field. The camera is built into a pair of glasses that he wears everyday.
"I don't really feel safe going to work without them to be honest with you because it makes me do my job better and I really love them," Deputy Brown said.
He said he thinks the public thinks twice when they see he's wearing a camera.
"If the general public knows they're being recorded you know maybe it can stop them assaulting me or cursing me out," Brown said.
The sheriff's office hopes to know what body cameras it would buy and the cost by this summer.
Sgt. Maness said they are not releasing the suspect's name or mugshot at this time. However, he did say the suspect was charged with assault with a deadly weapon intent to kill, which is a felony.
