SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Sheriff's Investigators Asking For Public's Help in Locating Felony Suspect

The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office is asking for the publics help in locating a suspect that is wanted for numerous felony charges, including battery on a law enforcement officer and escape. The charges stem from a traffic stop that was initiated at approximately 2300 hours on 7/25/07. A Sheriff's Deputy patrolling the Floridatown area observed a gray 1995 four door Oldsmobile committing a traffic infraction on Vern Street. As the vehicle turned on to Jernigan Road, the deputy initiated a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, the driver, identified as Damian McGowan (below), looked at the deputy and said, "please sir, don't do this to me, I'm gonna have to go back to prison". McGowan advised the deputy that he was a habitual traffic offender. This information was confirmed by the deputy. The deputy then asked McGowan to step out of his vehicle and told him to turn around and place his hands on the vehicle. The deputy then told McGowan that he was under arrest. As the deputy began to place the handcuffs on McGowan, McGowan pushed off the car with his left hand, spinning around and striking the deputy with a closed fist. McGowan then took off running. Deputies attempted to locate McGowan that evening with negative results. Deputies later found that McGowan had broken into a shed on Air Products property. Deputies also found the pair of handcuffs that McGowan had been wearing, with one side of them cut off from tools from inside the shed. McGowan still hasn't been located and is wanted on numerous felony charges. Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of McGowan is asked to call the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office at 983-1190 or Crime Stoppers at 437-STOP. A photograph of McGowan is attached to this email.

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net