Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department engineer awarded Firefighter of the Year after near-deadly attack

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — What started out as a routine medical call ended up as one of the worst attacks against Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighters.

On Oct. 8, Capt. Latorrence Norris and Engineer Vincent Harper with JFRD responded to a medical call with a patient they said they have helped in the past, Tony Harris.

According to the JSO arrest report, the firefighters described Harris as calm when they put him in the back of the rescue unit. He complained about pain in his kidneys. Since they said they have treated Harris before and he didn’t present any violent behavior at the time, they agreed to take him to UF Health without police assistance.

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During the drive to the hospital, the report states, “The suspect heard someone else transmit, via radio, that a female was being transported to the hospital.” It continues to read, “The suspect then became irate and saying that he was not a female while attempting to stand up off the stretcher.”

JFRD said Harris took a box cutter from Norris, who was sitting behind Harris in the back of the unit, and cut him in the upper chest and abdominal area. Harper could hear trouble in the back and pulled over to help.

“At the time it was going on, you start seeing all the blood and stuff,” Harper said. “He (assailant) slammed that razor trying to do serious bodily harm to you, you’re thinking, ‘Hey man I hope we come through on this here,’ and we did.”

Harper was able to pull Harris off of Norris while also being attacked. He suffered a deep cut to his leg. As he held Harris to the ground, a hospital security guard was nearby and took Norris to the trauma unit on her golf cart. Police arrived soon after to help Harper and arrest Harris.

“Going from going to help somebody, to trying to take them to the hospital, to fighting for your life and being attacked, it’s humbling,” Harper said.

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Harris was arrested and charged with two counts of battery to a firefighter and resisting arrest. At last check, court records show he now faces attempted murder charges. His next scheduled court appearance for pretrial is Jan. 28.

Harper and Norris spent days in the hospital for their injuries. JFRD filled their patient rooms to full capacity almost each day.

“Had it not been for Engineer Harper, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you,” Norris said. “I tried to fend the guy off as much as I could but it was definitely at least a two-person job and Vincent didn’t hesitate.”

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Both firefighters are back to work. They are part of Fire Station 2, which they said is the oldest fire station in Florida.

The department just named Harper the Firefighter of the Year.

“He’s well deserving,” JFRD Fire Chief Keith Powers said. “When you don’t care what happens to your own self and you throw yourself into harm’s way to take care of others, I mean that’s what it’s all about.”

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