Seeing the car fully engulfed in flames, Farther called for the fire department and life squad to set up their equipment near the site, Jones said.
But as the deputy assisted with traffic control for responding fire personnel, he was approached from behind and stabbed by a man who lives at the residence.
Jones said the suspect told Farthing: ‘This is your unlucky day.’
A struggled ensued. “They’re wrestling,” Jones said. “They end up in the snow. Farthing’s fighting for his life at that point. He finally gets the guy away from him, gets him at gunpoint.
“The guy’s on his knees in the snow.”
Jones said the knife went through Farthing’s vest, puncturing him in the back. “A bulletproof vest can stop a bullet, but it cannot stop a knife,” he said.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, and the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Phillip Brandon Lovely, was taken into custody without further incident.
Farthing was taken by ambulance Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, according to the sheriff’s office, which said he is alert and conscious and his condition is stable.
Jones said he went to the hospital to check in on Farthing. He said he’s thankful his deputy’s injuries are non-life threatening at this time.
“Our deputies face life-or-death situations every single day, often without warning,” he said. “This incident is a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers encounter simply doing their job, and we are extremely grateful that this situation did not turn out worse.”
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