BROWARD COUNTY, Florida -- An on-duty Broward sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized after collapsing Friday afternoon, authorities said.
“We had a deputy that went into cardiac arrest in the parking lot right at the Main Jail,” said Gina Carter, a spokeswoman for the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
The incident happened about 2 p.m. in the 500 block of Southeast First Avenue. The deputy’s identity was not disclosed.
As of 5 p.m., the deputy was in stable, “but guarded,” condition, said Keyla Concepcion, another spokeswoman for the agency.
“Everything is still under investigation,” Concepcion said. “It is unknown if this is all medical or related to some sort of altercation.”
A former inmate who had gone to the jail to retrieve his property had a knife on him as he entered the building, Carter said.
In what’s a common occurrence, the man was sent to his car to put the knife away, Carter said.
“The deputy was walking out, I don’t know if he was escorting the guy, keeping an eye on him or following him,” Carter said. “All I know right now for sure is the deputy was in the parking lot when he went into cardiac arrest.”
Fort Lauderdale police found who they believe was the man with the knife and brought him in for questioning, Carter said.
“I can’t even confirm that it’s the same person right now.”
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