Williamson County Sheriff Lauds Deputy's Traffic Stop 'Restraint'

ROUND ROCK, TX — A Round Rock man remains in jail after officials say he dragged a Williamson County Sheriff's Office deputy with his car while attempting to flee a traffic stop.

Jonathan Nunnally, 22, was charged with aggravated assault against a public servant with a deadly weapon as a result of the Wednesday incident, according to jail records. He remains at the Williamson County Jail with bail set at $500,000 on the first-degree felony punishable by up to 99 years' imprisonment.

The unidentified female deputy got wedged on the side door of the vehicle she pulled over as the motorist accelerated the vehicle. She wasn't injured in the incident that took place at around 3 a.m. near the State Highway 45 toll road and County Road 172.

Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody posted dashcam video of the incident on social media saying the deputy was dragged while trying to make a traffic stop. In social posts and social media, he acknowledges using the incident to showcase an incident that wouldn't normally garner media attention as a police shooting would. He noted the deputy showed considerable restraint in not using lethal force to neutralize the fleeing suspect before he was placed under custody.

“Wilco deputies showed great restraint when deadly force could’ve been used therefore it won’t make national news," Chody wrote. "A highly intoxicated driver in possession of harmless marijuana & harmless cough syrup (sarcasm) nearly killed one of my deputies," Chody wrote in his post. . "Deputy is ok, thank God!"

Chody's followers largely applauded Chody's tweet. But while the majority of those commenting on the Twitter thread applauded the deputy's actions and expressed relief that she was uninjured, others took issue with the sheriff's inference that the motorist was subject to being fatally shot for his transgression. Others questioned the tone of his tweeted missive.

Chody's inference that lethal measures would have been justified in the incident comes at a time when many in law enforcement feel victimized and beleaguered by those who would hold officers accountable, including the Black Lives Matter movement calling attention to a disproportionate number of officer-involved shootings involving black suspects. The incident Chody showcased in applauding his deputy's restraint involves an African American motorist in such times of heightened tension between law enforcement and members of the public calling for greater police accountability.

"So one of your deputies was 'nearly killed' and you use this opportunity to make a political statement," wrote one critic. "Nice job Farva." Another wrote: "First, thank you for all that you and your staff do to keep us safe. As a member the public I expect all deputies to be well trained. Thankfully, she does her job well. The recognition should come in the form of being paid well, not a news story." Added Brandi Donn: "Passive aggression is unbecoming. I'm proud you didn't kill anyone, but that is a fairly low bar to uphold."

But Chody's tweet largely had the desired effect in engendering support of the sheriff's inferred sentiment justifying lethal force during the traffic stop:

• "Lucky bastard," wrote one Twitter follower using the "Stitch" handle. "I would have shot him right in that gas pedal leg not giving two s***s if I hit the femoral while he was dragging me at what appeared to be speeds of up to 50MPH. If that didn't stop him boy it would have been worse."
• "The more bullet holes the better!" Howard Bailey wrote. "Glad the deputy is ok! Wilco great county to live in!!!"
• "I wish she would have killed him," Lynn Ross offered.
• Janie Morris had a similar sentiment in response to Chody's tweet: "Should’ve shot him & then we wouldn’t have to worry about paying for his incarceration or anything else people who act like that, endangering officers & the public don’t deserve a second thought! Officer, pull your gun use it when needed! That’s why you carry to protect n serve!"

>>> Jonathan Nunnally booking photo via Williamson County Jail records, photo of Sheriff Robert Chody via Williamson County Sheriff's Office