Man arrested after fight with deputy; Good Samaritan thanked

Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam says quick action by a Good Samaritan appears to have saved at least one life, as the Samaritan called for help when she saw a Washoe deputy in a fight with a suspect.

Investigators say the incident began about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, February 28, 2019. The deputy saw suspicious activity involving a man shoveling dirt into the back of a pickup parked in a dark area off Geiger Grade Road near Equestrian Road.

The deputy approached and saw the man had several knives, and got permission from the man to take the knives and conduct a pat search. Investigators say during the search, the deputy found what appeared to be illegal narcotics in a baggie.

That's when, the deputy reports, the man became uncooperative, broke free and ran, leading the deputy after him. That led to a struggle during which the deputy was unable to free his hands to call for help.

“That’s when our Good Samaritan came to the rescue,” Sheriff Balaam says. “She observed the violent nature of the struggle and immediately called 911 so that dispatch could advise other responding deputies about the urgent nature of the situation.”

Additional deputies arrived and took the suspect into custody.

“By recognizing the urgent need for assistance and promptly taking action, I believe this citizen prevented this altercation from escalating into a potentially life-threatening situation,” Sheriff Balaam says. “On behalf of all the men and women at the Washoe Sheriff’s I sincerely thank her for having our back – she is definitely a hero in our book!”

The deputy was taken to a hospital, treated for minor injuries and released.

The suspect, 39-year-old Jacob Slyter, was also treated at a hospital before being booked into the Washoe County jail on multiple charges, including Battery on Protected Person, Resisting a Public Officer, and Possession.

Neither the Good Samaritan nor the deputy have had their names released.