TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today presented a Back the Blue Award to a DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant for taking heroic, life-saving actions. While commuting to work, Lieutenant Michael Bellflower spotted a livestock trailer with a driver in distress. Lt. Bellflower rushed through traffic, jumped onto the fender of the truck, broke the window and turned off the ignition. The truck driver suffered a medical event while driving, but the swift actions of the lieutenant helped save the truck driver’s life—while also protecting drivers who may have collided with the massive vehicle.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “There are no routine days in the lives of our law enforcement heroes. I doubt Lt. Bellflower would have expected that he would rush through traffic, jump onto a moving semi, break the window and save a life on his way to work that day—but that is exactly what he did. His heroic actions deserve recognition and stand as yet another example of the dangers our officers face willingly to keep us safe.”
DeSoto County Sheriff James Potter said, “Lieutenant Bellflower consistently demonstrates the values we honor at DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, and he certainly exemplified his heroism and dedication on this day. As Sheriff, I couldn’t be prouder.”
Lt. Bellflower is a detention deputy at DCSO and does not ordinarily patrol the roads. On that day, Lt. Bellflower commuted to work and saw a livestock truck that did not seem to be operating normally. Lt. Bellflower risked his life running through traffic and jumping on the moving semi-truck to not only save the driver, who serendipitously turned out to be a good friend of the lieutenant, but also the lives of several other drivers in the area.
Attorney General Moody presented Lt. Bellflower with a Back the Blue Award today at DCSO for the lieutenant’s extreme bravery.
Attorney General Moody launched the statewide Back the Blue campaign soon after taking office in 2019. The campaign highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations taking extraordinary steps to forge positive relationships between law enforcement and local communities. Since its inception, Attorney General Moody has issued more than 50 Back the Blue Awards.
