JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Sheriff's officer was arrested Saturday evening on accusations of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, a third-degree felony, Sheriff T.K. Waters told First Coast News in a press conference held at noon on Tuesday.
John Burr, 32, has since been released from the Duval County jail after posting bail. Waters said Burr resigned upon his arrest and that he was employed with the agency for one year and eight months; his date of hire is Aug. 2, 2022.
Waters said at approximately noon on Saturday, Burr was driving his marked patrol vehicle to work, traveling eastbound on Argyle Forest Boulevard at Highlands Boulevard when he ran into a stopped vehicle.
"There was one person riding in that stopped vehicle," Waters said. "Burr did not stop after the crash, as required by law, but rather continued eastbound on Argyle Forest Boulevard, fleeing the scene of the crash. Because of the privacy rights afforded to the victim or victims, JSO will not identify anyone at this time."
A JSO arrest report states the victim observed Burr with his head down as his patrol vehicle was approaching her vehicle.
Waters told First Coast News the woman in the vehicle suffered an injury; the report states she complained of neck and lower back pain as a result of the crash.
The victim pulled into the left lane to move her vehicle from traffic, as the patrol vehicle sped off, leaving the scene.
"The victim attempted to follow the police car and began honking her horn to gain the officer's attention. However, the victim reported the officer began weaving in and out of traffic dangerously," the report states.
She contacted police after obtaining the vehicle's tag. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responded, and the victim allowed family members to take her to the hospital. She has since been released.
A responding officer found Burr's vehicle leaving an oil change facility on Dunn Avenue, according to the report. The officer noticed fresh damage to the vehicle's front bumper.
Burr was taken to the Integrity Unit for an interview. Much of the report is redacted from this point.
Waters said Burr's arrest is the fourth arrest made by JSO of an employee this year. He called the statistic "embarrassing for the agency."
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"We are always, always deeply disappointed when something like this happens and when one of our members violates the law," Waters said. "It's like the donkey of the day, why would you do that? It doesn't make any sense. I believe he probably got afraid, he got scared... and made a bad decision."
The sheriff also said Burr spent time in the military when First Coast News asked if he had any other law enforcement experience outside of JSO.