Published: October 06, 2008 04:46 pm         

Sheriff commends Alvarado man

Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford presented an Alvarado man with a citation Thursday recognizing his help in assisting a deputy to subdue a suspect last month.

Garrett Gomez ran to the aid of Deputy Richard Hogan, who was struggling with a suspect, on Sept. 20.

Hogan was patrolling in the 9000 block of Marianna Way in rural Alvarado about 8 p.m. when he conducted a traffic stop based on several violations.

The suspect, Clifton Dee Tinder, 44, of Alvarado, originally told Hogan he was an undercover officer with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Having worked with the officer Tinder identified himself as, Hogan knew the claim was not true. Tinder also possessed identification of the officer he claimed to be.

Tinder resisted when Hogan tried to arrest him. Hogan managed to lock handcuffs on one of Tinder’s wrists, but use of a Taser, pepper spray and a baton to subdue Tinder had little effect. Tinder began violently fighting with Hogan on the side of the road, according to reports.

Hogan yelled out to a nearby home, which prompted Gomez to come out and help Hogan subdue Tinder.

Tinder remains jailed at the Johnson County Corrections Center on charges of impersonating a public servant, failure to identify himself as a fugitive, resisting arrest, evading arrest and a parole warrant bond.

Alford called Gomez a hero and said his quick thinking and selfless act helped prevent a possible tragedy. Hogan expressed thanks and said Gomez did a great job.

     

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