Sheriff’s Sergeant Attacked During Traffic Stop

A Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s sergeant was taken to the hospital after a driver of a vehicle attacked the deputy during a traffic stop.

Just before noon on Monday, the sergeant pulled over a vehicle near the Blue Skies mobile home park.

“I was coming from the store and I just saw one cop arresting some boy and then I heard a bunch of sirens and I just came out and now there’s a bunch of cops,” said Adriana Vasquez, a witness who lives in the mobile home park.

The driver, Ricky Cooper Ramirez, 21, of Santa Barbara, allegedly got out of the SUV and attacked the sergeant.

“The driver began fighting with the (sergeant),” said Kelly Hoover of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

Neighbors heard the commotion and went to see what was happening.

“I was inside and I came out and I just saw the deputy on the floor, on the ground holding his leg,” said Amy, another witness. She said the deputy clearly looked like he was in pain.

Ramirez ran away, leaving behind the injured sergeant and a passenger in the vehicle.

“The suspect fled, ran through the mobile home park on to the adjacent St. Vincent’s property and into the nearby residential neighborhood. He was apprehended,” said Hoover.

The driver was arrested and his passenger was let go after questioning.

The sergeant was taken to the hospital with moderate injuries.

Ramirez was arrested on charges of resisting arrest, causing injury to a peace officer and possession of heroin.

A search of the SUV found drugs inside.

Ramirez also has three warrants for his arrest on grand theft, domestic violence and battery of a court officer. He is in the Santa Barbara County jail with no chance at bail.

Slideshow: Sheriff’s Deputy Attacked During Traffic Stop