The man behind the wheel, 53‑year‑old Edward Strother, refused to make a stop following a short chase before he stopped on an off‑ramp. Bardes then exited his patrol cruiser to arrest Strother when the suspect attacked, striking the deputy to the ground. Strother also hit the deputy several times and tried to grab his service weapon, according to official accounts.
Bardes reportedly shouted for help as he lay on the ground and the attack continued, a scene that was captured in a later released cellphone footage.
