INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A Palm Bay man – who authorities said told his wife he wanted to “take out” a police officer – was fatally shot after he swung at a deputy with a knife late Sunday, sheriff’s officials said. Deputies also said the man, who served time in state prison, had been affiliated with Neo-Nazis in the past.
The deputy was not injured, said Sgt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Eric Flowers gave an update on the case Monday, where he showed news reporters body camera and surveillance footage of the incident. The footage shows the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Jeffrey Lee Miller, lunge at the deputy before being shot.
Video provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
Flowers said the ordeal lasted about three seconds. The late-night incident occurred at a RaceTrac gas station parking lot, sheriff’s officials said.
The name of the 44-year-old deputy involved was not released. The deputy was responding to an unrelated call when the random attack occurred, sheriff’s officials said.
Flowers commended the deputy, calling him a hero.
“From the time that our deputy is approached at the car until shots are fired and (Miller) is down on the ground is three and a half seconds,” Flowers said. “Our deputy is a hero today because he did the right thing. He protected himself and the lives of others.”
Flowers said the deputy, a father, was placed on paid administrative leave, which is routine for police-involved shootings. It was unclear when the deputy would return to work.
Video provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
The incident happened about 10:42 p.m. Sunday in the 9400 block of 108th Avenue, just east of Interstate 95, Jaworski said. The night had scattered thunderstorms.
The deputy responded to an unrelated call of an intoxicated woman at a McDonald’s located near 108th Avenue and County Road 512.
Flowers played audio of the 911 call at McDonald’s. A man can be heard telling the dispatcher that a girl was extremely intoxicated and being violent.
The deputy cleared the call and then overheard a commotion nearby in the RaceTrac gas station parking lot. Flowers said Miller, also a father, and his wife, both of Palm Bay, had traveled down to Sebastian and went to the RaceTrac gas station.
“He told his wife he wanted to take out a Palm Bay cop,” Flowers said.
Deputies later learned that Miller was chasing two other men – whom he did not know – around the parking lot.
When the deputy pulled up to the parking lot and got out of his patrol vehicle, Miller swung at the deputy with a knife, body camera footage shows.
The deputy fired at Miller multiple times, Flowers said. Miller was struck by the gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene.
It was not immediately known how many bullets struck Miller.
Deputies recovered the knife. Sebastian police units arrived at the scene and rendered aid to Miller.
Flowers said Miller previously served prison time in Florida for robbery, burglary, grand theft and child abuse. The sheriff said Miller was a known gang affiliated Nazi member with a tattoo of a Swastika.
Sheriff’s officials were working to get the involved deputy counseling.
Photos provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
