A 22-year-old deputy from Polk County, Florida, Jacob Kite, was apprehended after leading his colleagues on a high-speed chase while under the influence of alcohol. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when Kite was clocked driving his Subaru Impreza at over 100 mph. Despite attempts by fellow deputies to pull him over, Kite refused to stop, resulting in a high-speed pursuit.
The sheriff’s office reported that Kite’s speed eventually reached 130 mph in a 45 mph zone. During the chase, Kite’s vehicle swerved aggressively toward a deputy’s patrol car, narrowly missing a collision. After several attempts, a deputy successfully executed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver), disabling Kite’s vehicle and bringing the chase to an end.
Kite initially refused to exit his vehicle but was eventually taken into custody. Tests revealed that his breath alcohol level was .035 G/210L and .034 G/210L. Following his arrest, Kite was charged with multiple offenses, including Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Resisting without Violence, Resisting with Violence, Fleeing to Elude, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Property Damage, Reckless Driving, and DUI. He was also issued citations for multiple driving infractions.
In the aftermath of the incident, Kite resigned from his position at the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Grady Judd expressed his disappointment and anger at Kite’s reckless behavior, stating that such conduct was unacceptable for any citizen, let alone a deputy sheriff. He added that had Kite not resigned, he would have been terminated and assured that Kite would be held accountable for his criminal conduct.
Kite began his career with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in February 2020 as a detention deputy trainee. He was promoted to deputy sheriff and assigned to the southwest district in April 2023. His arrest and subsequent resignation mark a sudden end to his career in law enforcement.