Robbery suspect runs over Clay County deputy's leg twice

A robbery suspect is charged with attempted murder and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer after he ran over a Clay County deputy's leg Saturday morning, police said.

Deputies said Tomy Lee Byrd, 47, also kicked a Clay County paramedic in the face after a pursuit on Blanding Boulevard.

Byrd reportedly stole a pressure washer, computer monitor and a case of Budweiser from Walmart on Blanding Boulevard and told employees he would hurt them if they tried to stop him.

A customer tried to help employees stop Byrd from leaving but he pushed the cart through the doors and knocked them off their track.

Byrd was later spotted on Wells Road.

Deputies pulled him over and an Orange Park Police Department detective pulled his patrol car in front of Byrd's truck.

Police tried to get Byrd out of the car but he accelerated forward, hit the detective's car and ran over the deputy's leg.

He ran over the deputy's leg again when he reversed his car, deputies said. He was then arrested.

The deputy was checked out at the hospital and released.

A Clay County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said a secondary weapon strapped to the deputy's leg may have prevented more serious damage.

Byrd was taken to the hospital after signs of excited delirium and kicked a paramedic in the face, officials said.

He was released and taken to CCSO. He is charged with robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted felony murder of an officer and battery on a firefighter.

Byrd is from Lake Butler and has a criminal history that includes prison time for a similar crime, a Clay County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said.

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