Polson Police Officer Michael Wharton was shot at during a traffic stop. on the night of Friday, Feb. 14.
Polson Police Chief George Simpson told MTN that his actions afterward left his department immensely proud.
“Our officer gave chase, continued to pursue, which is mighty brave of an officer. Right after getting approximately 20 or so rounds shot at your car, he continues the pursuit,” said Chief Simpson.
Following the shooting on Highway 93 near Rocky Point, the suspect fled toward Kalispell. Wharton took off after him, in pursuit until his badly damaged police cruiser broke down.
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“A couple rounds in the windshield, a couple rounds in the cab, a couple rounds in the tires. The rest went in the engine block and some skipped down the highway,” Chief Simpson said.
Despite the damage to his police cruiser, Wharton pursued the suspect until his car broke down. Wharton received minor injuries from shattered glass but was otherwise unharmed.
“I'll say, all things considered, he's doing good. Everybody knows him as Officer Wharton, but around here he's Mike, right? And people forget that officers have families, officers have lives, officers have feelings,” Chief Simpson said.
The suspect, Cameron Francis, was arrested about 45 minutes later near Elmo, with help from the Flathead Tribal Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
“We have a pretty big first responder program, and, I mean, that's just the Montana way, right? In a small valley, it takes everybody for something like this,” Simpson said.
Francis, a 49-year-old from California, is in custody at the Lake County Detention Center. While he awaits further court dates, the department is dealing with the aftermath of the incident.
“It takes its toll,” Chief Simpson said. “The shift of a police officer can be pretty varied. I mean, you can go to a fatal crash in the morning or suicide in the afternoon to a dog barking. You just never know what you're going to get.”
Chief Simpson said debriefs and mental health resources available to first responders are important, especially after incidents like this. But, beyond that, he is proud and glad his officer is alright.
“He's a champion. All our officers are guardians of Polson, is how I like to refer to it, and they'll do what they need to do,” Chief Simpson told MTN.
