Two Sheriff's Deputies Killed In Florida Car Chase

PAHOKEE, Fla. (AP) - Two Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies were killed Wednesday and another was injured as they tried to stop a stolen vehicle in a rural area in the Everglades, authorities said.

Wednesday, November 28th 2007, 7:18 am

By: News On 6

PAHOKEE, Fla. (AP) - Two Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies were killed Wednesday and another was injured as they tried to stop a stolen vehicle in a rural area in the Everglades, authorities said.

The deputies were putting spikes on the highway to puncture the car's tires when they were struck at about 1:45 a.m. A third deputy was being treated at a hospital for head wounds.

It's unclear how the accident occurred and authorities weren't sure if they were hit by the car that the men allegedly stole, sheriff's spokesman Paul Miller said. The deputies' names were not released as officials tried to contact their families.

Police were looking for two suspects who fled from the vehicle in the chase. At least 75 officers were combing nearby canefields, where the suspects were believed to be hiding.

``We believe we have (the suspects) contained, but it's a very large area to search, thick and dense,'' said Sheriff Ric Bradshaw.

The chase began after a Belle Glade resident called police to report that a neighbor's car was being stolen. Deputies who responded saw the car and began following it.

The deputies are the latest south Florida law enforcement victims this year.

Broward Deputy Paul Rein, 76, was killed Nov. 7 while transporting a suspect to court. Michael Mazza, 40, is jailed after being charged in the slaying.

Broward Sgt. Chris Reyka, 51, was fatally shot as he was looking for stolen vehicles behind a drug store Aug. 10. His killer is still being sought.

In September, a Miami-Dade County police officer, Jose Somohano, was fatally shot by a suspect who ambushed him and three other officers with an assault weapon. The suspect was killed by officers hours later in Broward.