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Patrol Deputy Devin Absher is being hailed as a hero after going the extra mile to arrest 29-year-old Antoine Keith Mackall III, who has no fixed address, after he assaulted him and left the officer with injuries.
The scene played out shortly before 2:15 a.m. on Monday, June 12, in the 21600 block of Great Mills Road, when Mackall allegedly attacked several people inside an area home.
While on patrol, officials say that Absher spotted Mackall leave an apartment, where there was a large disturbance as the latter sought to run into a nearby wooded area.
Absher began to chase Mackall on foot as he attempted to jump a fence, at which point the suspect punched the deputy in the face several times and ran into the woods.
Despite the injuries, Absher continued the pursuit and managed to get his man into custody without further incident. Officials noted that a search of Mackall led to the seizure of a smoking device with crack cocaine residue.
Absher was treated at the scene by first responders, and ultimately airlifted to an area trauma unit for treatment and evaluation of his injuries. He’s since been released and returned home to recover.
On Tuesday, June 13, Absher had a special visitor at that home, when Sheriff Steve Hall was on hand to visit and award him with the agency’s Purple Heart Medal for his injuries sustained while cracking the case.
Absher has been with the sheriff's office since 2018, became a corrections officer a year later, and was made a deputy in 2022.
"This is an example of a 21st Century police officer, Hall beamed. "Deputy Absher is fueled by a passion to serve. He's directed by training, and he's defined by the courage to get the job done, no matter what.
"This is the danger deputies face," the sheriff continued. "These are the blows they're willing to take for the people in this community. I am inspired."
Mackall was charged with:
- Second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer;
- Four counts of second-degree assault on multiple victims;
- Resisting or interfering with arrest;
- Two counts of malicious destruction of property less than $1,000;
- Failure to obey a lawful order;
- CDS: possession of cocaine;
- CDS: possession of paraphernalia.
He is being held without bond at the St. Mary's County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.
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