NEW PORT RICHEY – A suspect wanted for a federal warrant was shot Aug. 29 as Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to apprehend him.
Deputies were part of a U.S. Marshals Task Force trying to locate suspect Tom Rose, 40.
“Tom has a very long history of criminal history – a 35-page rap sheet,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said. “He has numerous gun and drug violations – spent over 10 years in state and federal prison. He is a very violent individual.”
Nocco said Rose warned others that if someone contacted the police about his whereabouts they would have to answer to him and that he would “take cops with him.”
“Clearly this individual is not going to go back to prison and clearly he didn’t care who he harmed to make sure that he did not go back to prison,” Nocco said, in explaining the heightened sense of awareness among his deputies.
After surveillance and tracking, officers found Rose at the Home Depot at Ridge and Little roads. Rose was able to elude law enforcement but officers opted to reestablish surveillance instead of continuing their pursuit.
A plain-clothes Pasco County detective later spotted Rose in the River Ridge neighborhood. Nocco said the detective was wearing a carrier issued by the sheriff’s office that had the word sheriff on it.
He said Rose attempted to strike the detective with his vehicle, prompting the detective to fire at the vehicle. Rose was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to officials.
“I thank God Almighty because the suspect, Tom Rose, tried to kill one of our detectives today,” Nocco told reporters. “I thank God Almighty that detective did a hell of a job ensuring that he was safe and ensuring the community was safe.”
Nocco reiterated that the detective thought his life was in danger and that it was obvious just listening to the radio traffic.
“It’s a sad day in society where people think there is no consequences or negative actions,” Nocco said. “In our community, in our region, there absolutely is. And today, the Pasco deputies, the Pasco detectives did one hell of a job getting him off the street.”
The detective was placed on administrative leave. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the investigation.
