Deputies Wrestle With Unstable Man on Courthouse Steps: Sheriff's Office

Deputies are being credited for stopping a man found cutting himself on the courthouse steps Thursday morning.

Near 10 a.m., deputies became aware of the subject, a 57-year-old male, at the bottom of the courthouse stairs.

He was cutting himself with a box cutter when a deputy approached him, according to 1st. Sgt. Eric Quinn, a Stafford County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.

The deputy ordered the man to drop the box cutter and then wrestled him to the ground. It took three additional deputies to get the subject handcuffed and in custody.

The man was transported to the Stafford Hospital Center. His injuries were not life threatening and he will also undergo a mental health examination.

The man was due in court Thursday morning on an unrelated misdemeanor charge. No charges have been filed related to Thursday’s incident.

“This incident had the potential to turn out very badly and I’m confident that this man is alive today because of the split second decision made by our deputies,” stated Sheriff David Decatur.