51-94
10-24-2007, 05:43 AM
MOUNT DORA, Fla. --
The headrest in a police cruiser may have saved a Mount Dora Sergeant's life. A bullet shattered a window on his car when someone fired a shot at the officer while he was on patrol late Monday night.
SLIDESHOW: Images Of Cruiser, Scene Of Shooting
A 13-year-old girl said she heard one of the shots that nearly struck Sgt. Jim Jicha in the back of the head.
"When you hear of someone shooting at police, you don't think of Mount Dora," said Robbin Mayfield, Mount Dora Police Department.
The intersection of Jackson and South Orange Street was surrounded by officers after the sergeant's cruiser was shot at while he was on routine patrol.
"Thankfully, he wasn't hit. We don't know if it was intentionally shot at him or if it was someone firing off a gun. We just don't know," Mayfield stated.
At first, police thought someone in a silver SUV was the shooter, but they now suspect the person who did the shooting was most likely on foot, hanging out in an area where numerous condemned homes are located.
"I think his years on the force helped him deal with the situation. He's in good spirits and he's thankful he wasn't injured and now we're out to find the person who did this," Mayfield added.
The Mount Dora Police department said Jicha was a very well-known and liked officer in the area. Luckily, he wasn't injured. Helicopters searched the area, but did not find the shooter or a gun.
The headrest in a police cruiser may have saved a Mount Dora Sergeant's life. A bullet shattered a window on his car when someone fired a shot at the officer while he was on patrol late Monday night.
SLIDESHOW: Images Of Cruiser, Scene Of Shooting
A 13-year-old girl said she heard one of the shots that nearly struck Sgt. Jim Jicha in the back of the head.
"When you hear of someone shooting at police, you don't think of Mount Dora," said Robbin Mayfield, Mount Dora Police Department.
The intersection of Jackson and South Orange Street was surrounded by officers after the sergeant's cruiser was shot at while he was on routine patrol.
"Thankfully, he wasn't hit. We don't know if it was intentionally shot at him or if it was someone firing off a gun. We just don't know," Mayfield stated.
At first, police thought someone in a silver SUV was the shooter, but they now suspect the person who did the shooting was most likely on foot, hanging out in an area where numerous condemned homes are located.
"I think his years on the force helped him deal with the situation. He's in good spirits and he's thankful he wasn't injured and now we're out to find the person who did this," Mayfield added.
The Mount Dora Police department said Jicha was a very well-known and liked officer in the area. Luckily, he wasn't injured. Helicopters searched the area, but did not find the shooter or a gun.