Deputy Airlifted To Hospital Following Traffic Stop With Meth Labs; Century Man Charged

June 19, 2015

An Escambia County deputy was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital following a Century traffic stop in which two “one pot” meth labs were discovered Thursday afternoon.

The deputy reportedly suffered extreme breathing difficulties after becoming involved in a struggle with a suspect that ran from scene. The deputy was conscious and speaking as he was loaded into a LifeFlight helicopter at the Century EMS post. He was listed in good condition Friday morning.

The decision to transport the deputy by LifeFlight was partially based on time and distance from Century to the hospital, according to Sena Maddison, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The deputy’s identity has not been released.

The incident began when patrol deputies conducted a traffic stop on an older model Ford F250 truck on Front Street at Highway 29 in Century about 3 p.m. Thursday.

The deputies discovered two apparent “one pot” meth labs in a bag that was located in bed of the pickup. A .22 caliber revolver was also located. About 30 minutes into the investigation, one of the suspects, later identified as 43-year old William Burr Milliron of Century, ran from the area of the truck as deputies attempted to handcuff him.

Milliron reportedly told deputies that he was not going back to prison before fleeing. He lunged at a deputy and was tased before being wrestled to the ground by the deputy that was later airlifted. He continued to wrestle and fight both deputies and was tased a second time. After he was taken into custody, deputies discovered ammunition for the firearm in his pocket, according to an arrest report.

Milliron was charged with methamphetamine production, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a listed chemical, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and possession of a weapon or ammo by a convicted felon. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Friday morning with bond set at $71,000. The driver of the vehicle, was issued a traffic citation and released. According to an arrest report, authorities believed the weapon and meth-related items all belonged to Milliron.

Members of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics responded to the scene. They were observed removing two plastic soft drink bottles containing the suspected meth labs from a camouflage bag. The bag also contained several items known to commonly be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, including drain cleaner.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Rapid Response Unit responded with a hazardous materials team that neutralized the meth labs in buckets that were then filled with concrete. After being rendered inert, the buckets and concrete are later disposed of at the county landfill.

Further details on the incident are expected to be released sometime Friday.

For a photo gallery, click here. (Editor’s note: In some images, the face of an undercover deputy  has been hidden to protect the safety of the officer.)

NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.




Comments

18 Responses to “Deputy Airlifted To Hospital Following Traffic Stop With Meth Labs; Century Man Charged”

  1. David Huie Green on June 21st, 2015 3:44 pm

    REGARDING:
    ” “including drain cleaner”
    I just can’t see using drain cleaner for anything but cleaning drains.. Who the heck thought up digesting this stuff? :/ ”

    Your question made me look it up. The drain cleaner, lye, sodium hydroxide is to neutralize the acid, apparently hydrchloric..
    This should produce sodium chloride, table salt.
    That can be bad for your blood pressure.

    David for better blood pressure

  2. Anon on June 19th, 2015 10:47 pm

    Guys, I’ve done both. I started off as a firefighter, then made the switch to police officer because I’d always wanted to do both. Each jobs have their own unique dangers. As a firefighter, you’re dealing with unpredictable situations, and when you’re fighting fire, you’re dealing with something that will kill you as quickly as you can imagine if you become complacent. As a deputy/police officer, you’re still dealing with unpredictable situations,and with suspects that can kill you just as quickly as a fire if you become complacent. Sandy, I don’t know if you were meaning to sound like you think a deputy’s job is less dangerous or important because you “put on much heavier gear and go into burning buildings in this heat”, but remember the fact that you’re wearing that gear in a burning building for 15 minutes at a time. That deputy is wearing that gear for his entire shift and can’t take it off until he/she gets home. And I’ll tell you all this; having done both jobs for a good length of time, I’d put on my Bunker Gear and go into a burning building 1,000 times if it meant I never had to fight or get shot at again!! Each job is equally important, and neither profession should think they’re better or in more danger than the other. Just remember, the member of the other profession that you look down on today may be the one saving your life tomorrow! Glad the deputy is ok. All of you stay safe…..

  3. Lea Kramer on June 19th, 2015 8:40 pm

    Thank you God and Escambia County Police for getting Bill Milliron out of my grand-daughters life. Maybe he will be away so long she can get on with her life and become the person I always knew she could be. God bless law enforcement for all the good work they do trying to make this a better and safer place for us to live.

  4. molino jim on June 19th, 2015 8:13 pm

    Thanks to all who face danger every day. No matter what they are. Hope you can all stay safe.

  5. Thanks on June 19th, 2015 5:25 pm

    It’s hot, be careful, we empathize and understand. And yes in equipment it’s worse. Stay safe and help and appreciate one another. All deserve a gold star that are out on the streets doing your best to keep us safe and healthy. Law Breaker’s you are a lot of trouble. Shame on you.

  6. Patriot on June 19th, 2015 4:19 pm

    Let’s give Sandra a little gold star on her fireman hat, her gear is HEAVY.
    She just wants to make sure everyone knows that. That is all.

  7. sam on June 19th, 2015 3:43 pm

    who keeps turning these folks loose. he knew he was going back being a felon. he couldn’t be too smart carrying a pistol, ammunition, making meth, resisting arrest. with the way the justice system works now days, he will be back on the street in a week or two.

  8. marshall on June 19th, 2015 2:45 pm

    sandra – Truthfully, I am not sure how to take your comment about your “heavier gear”! Are you trying to pat yourself on the back or what? I have respect for all of our First Responders, but your comment just bothers me for some reason, especially since the Deputy was Life Flighted with breathing issues. Plus, there are not a lot of Fires that shoot at you.

  9. Retired on June 19th, 2015 12:24 pm

    Thank you to all the deputies and first responders, fire fighters helicopter pilots, paramedics, haz mat, fire marshals, judges, prosecutors and any other involved and to NE for reporting this. We so appreciate and need you. Prayers for all and the families involved. Thank you mayor and town council for letting them come in and protect and serve us. “Lead, Follow or Get out of the Way”

  10. chris on June 19th, 2015 10:06 am

    Never mind who thought it up. Let’s make a TV show and glorify those who manufacture meth. Oh wait, already been done!

  11. IMHO on June 19th, 2015 9:55 am

    The article states “The driver of the vehicle, was issued a traffic citation and released”. I’d like to know why the driver was not arrested.

  12. mick on June 19th, 2015 9:41 am

    A VIOLENT FELON PRODUCING DRUGS, A VIOLENT FELON WITH A WEAPON, A VIOLENT FELON RESISTING ARREST = A LIFE SENTENCE IN PRISON

  13. sandra on June 19th, 2015 9:31 am

    Yes Fred, I can imagine it ,but I put on much heavier gear and go into burning buildings in this heat. Prayers for the LEO

  14. paul on June 19th, 2015 9:17 am

    “including drain cleaner”
    I just can’t see using drain cleaner for anything but cleaning drains.. Who the heck thought up digesting this stuff? :/

  15. Lucy on June 19th, 2015 9:08 am

    Look at that crap in the bottles; people actually injest that stuff into their bodies? Yuck!

  16. fred on June 19th, 2015 6:52 am

    Can you imagine having to run after a suspect wearing uniform and kevlar vest, duty belt filled with heavy gear in that heat? Plus, if the deputy had gotten a whiff of the dangerous fumes coming from a meth lab, adds up to a very dangerous situation.

  17. Sandy on June 19th, 2015 6:36 am

    Praying for a fast recovery

  18. Puddin on June 19th, 2015 4:24 am

    Good job Officers. Get well soon sir.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News