Marine poolee Dylan Knights, 18, of Dansville, N.Y., was awarded a plaque from Sheriff John York of the Livingston County Sheriff's Department commending his action in stopping a suspect from fleeing the police last week. Source: Sgt. Rodolfo Toro
WASHINGTON – Eighteen-year-old Marine poolee Dylan Knights had a house call from a local sheriff on Friday – but for good reason. The Dansville, N.Y., high school graduate helped the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department catch a suspect who officers had chased by car and foot the day before.
The chase began on Thursday at 5:20 p.m. when a Geneseo police officer attempted to stop a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, according to a statement from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. The driver, Thomas Sheflin, 27, of Scottsburg, N.Y., did not stop and led Geneseo officers on a high-speed chase into nearby Leicester. The pursuit was terminated, but was later picked up again when the same car was seen in the town of York. Sheflin’s car was traveling at more than 100 miles per hour in the wrong lane while traffic swerved off the road to avoid him. His car finally got caught up at a red light on Main Street back in Geneseo.
That’s where Knights entered the scene.
After striking a Time Warner Cable van, Sheflin continued to try to escape. Knights said he saw what was going on and just reacted.
What happened Thursday evening?
I was going to get my CO-2 tank refilled for my paintball gun on Main Street in Geneseo with my girlfriend. I started talking to my guidance counselor who was outside and then I saw this car being chased by the cops. They had him stopped for a second, they drew their guns and he backed up and took off again. I started chasing him on foot, and when he got stuck in traffic, I leaned in his passenger window, slammed his car into park and took his keys out of the ignition.
What made you react?
I wasn’t thinking at all, I just reacted when I saw what was happening. It was pure instinct. I gave my girlfriend the CO-2 tank and took off. She didn’t know what I was doing. After I took his keys, he got out of the car and ran toward a gas station. I tackled him, and he threw me off and took off again. He’s about 180 pounds and I’m 130. He was a big guy. I just got up and ran after him again. He ran towards a concrete wall – the cops caught up with him there.
What advice would you have for other people who might find themselves in this type of situation?
I’d say try to help the cops out and do as much as you can so that no one else gets hurt. Sheriff York presented me with a plaque and said they don’t recommend that people help out, but that it was really brave and extremely helpful that I did. I don’t think they would’ve caught up to him if I hadn’t gotten involved. They were pretty far back – they were stuck in traffic in SUVs and he was in a small car – it seemed like he was just pushing the cars out of the way to escape.
Dylan Knights enlisted in the Marines through Sgt. Francis Ellsworth at the Buffalo, N.Y. recruitment office. He will report to Pariss Island, S.C. for boot camp in November.
Why did you join the Marine Corps?
I’ve always known I would. I’ve been telling my dad since I was eight years old. I just wanted to be a part of something awesome. I’ll be going to Parris Island Nov. 7, and after boot camp I’d either like to be a mechanic or work in heavy equipment. Right now whenever something’s wrong with my truck I work on it, so I’d like to work with trucks and tanks.
Have you thought about joining the Military Police?
I was thinking about it, but I’m not too sure. Maybe after my eight years – I’ve got four years of active and then four years of reserve duty. I think this has shown me that I can get thrown into a situation and react without thinking about it. But right now I’m just looking forward to getting through boot camp and being able to call myself a Marine.
Sgt. Michael Dougherty of Livingston County Sheriff’s Department said Sheflin, the suspect, was taken into custody for a mental health evaluation, which has not been completed.
Dougherty called Knights a good role model and good citizen, qualities that will serve him well in the Marines.
“He was in the perfect area to help stop him from fleeing and he definitely took some responsibility and made a quick decision and helped us,” Dougherty said. “I think he should be commended for that.”