Interfering with official police duties or disrespecting the authority of an officer of the law is never a wise thing to do. According to a story appearing on the ABC15 website, that may have been exactly what a suspect was attempting when he rammed his vehicle into a police car that was being used to transport a prisoner.
On Sunday, May 19th, a Phoenix Police Officer was transporting a prisoner when his police cruiser was rammed from behind by Paul Joseph Joyce, 27, at approximately 60 miles per hour.
Officials say that Joyce passed the police cruiser and the officer was able to get a license plate number. The officer attempted to get Joyce to pull over, but he refused.
The officer chose not to pursue Joyce at the time out of consideration for the safety of the prisoner he was transporting and himself.
Officials said that Joyce turned his vehicle around and then was coming toward the police cruiser. The officer pulled into a residential neighborhood where Joyce followed the police car.
The officer got out of his patrol car and drew his weapon to defend both himself and the prisoner. Joyce looked directly at the officer then fled the scene in his vehicle. Phoenix Police officers found and apprehended Joyce the following day and placed him under arrest.
Joyce is currently facing charges of unlawful flight, leaving the scene of an accident and other related charges.
Arizona Department of Corrections records indicate that before the incident, Joyce had served a total of 8 years in prison for aggravated assault, arson, resisting arrest, and escape.
