Zephyrhills, Florida

Zephyrhills Police Department Dash Cam

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• published: 10 Aug 2011
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ZEPHYRHILLS - In the end, the Zephyrhills police officer who was there at the beginning said he was just thankful no one was killed. Zephyrhills police officer Kevin Widner said Thursday he was relieved when he heard the news that the Dougherty siblings — who were on the run for over a week — had been caught Wednesday near the small town of Walsenburg, Colo. "I look forward to seeing these criminals receive the punishment they are due for putting my life in danger, as well as many citizens they showed total disregard for," Widner said of Lee Grace Dougherty, 29, Dylan Dougherty Stanley, 26; and Ryan Edward Dougherty, 21. At least 20 shots were fired Widner's way during a high speed chase last week. The six-year Zephyrhills police officer said he is still in a state of disbelief. "At first it was like, 'wow they're shooting at me', " he recalled. Widner spoke publicly for the first time after encountering the now infamous Dougherty siblings. Ryan, Dylan and Lee Grace Dougherty were arrested Wednesday after a brief police chase in southern Colorado. Last week, Widner attempted to stop a car linked to the Dougherty family. The driver was going 45 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. Investigators say the driver not only refused to pull over, but someone inside the car shot at Widner. One of the rounds hit the front tire of Widner's squad car, disabling it. "I was really disappointed that I couldn't keep up at least until my back up was able to get there before they proceeded any farther," Widner said. Officer Widner told reporters Thursday he was grateful no one was hurt when the Dougherty siblings began their cross-country odyssey. Although he did not see their faces during the chase last week, he said he hopes to confront them again in a Pasco County courtroom. His boss, Zephyrhills Police Chief David Shears, agrees. "I believe it's only fair that the officer for what he's been through, this agency for what its been through, that we see their day in court," Shears said. It may be some time yet before the trio is brought back to face charges in Florida. The three are charged with robbing a bank in Valdosta, Georgia, the same day police say they shot at Widner. Officer Widner returned to work after the chase. He did, however, tend to one other important piece of business: "The first thing I did was call my wife and let her know that I was all right, and then I called my parents," he said. Zephyrhills Police Department Dash Cam