UPDATE: Suspect who shot Taylor County deputy killed during home invasion in Dixie County

TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) - The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the manhunt for a suspect who shot a Taylor County deputy multiple times Tuesday night is over.

FDLE announced the end of the Blue Alert on Twitter Wednesday around 9:34 a.m.

The Dixie County Sheriff’s Office said a suspect was killed during a home invasion in Steinhatchee Wednesday morning. That suspect’s body was found near the same car that was listed in a Blue Alert issued late Tuesday night.

Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler said his deputies were called to that scene around 7 a.m. Wednesday. DCSO found several firearms in the suspect vehicle, according to Butler.

FDLE confirmed during Wednesday afternoon’s press conference that the home invasion suspect was Gregory Miedema. The special agent in charge said the Steinhatchee homeowner was shot while protecting himself during the break-in. He was taken to a hospital in the area with minor injuries and is expected to be released soon.

TCSO has identified the deputy who was shot as Troy Andersen. He is part of TCSO’s K-9 unit. As of 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Andersen was stable at Shands Hospital, according to the sheriff’s office.

Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett said Andersen is undergoing reconstructive surgery on his face. He thanked the community for its support and asked for continued prayers for Andersen and his family.

“Everything is going in a good direction,” Padgett said. “Troy is a valued employee of the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.”

Andersen called in the vehicle’s tag before the traffic stop so the law enforcement could track the car and identify the owner.

Padgett also said Miedema was pulled over for a routine traffic stop. He could not confirm at the time if it was for speeding.

TCSO is setting up a fund the community can donate to for Andersen.

Vergil Morgan, who is Andersen’s uncle, has released the following statement for the family:

“After consulting with Troy’s wife and our family members we ask that you continue your prayers for Officer Andersen. He is in stable condition. Any questions you may have should be directed to the TCSO Spokesperson in Perry Fl. Thank you to the thousands who have reached out across social media, phone and messaging with encouragement and prayer.”

Andersen does not have kids but was joined by his wife who got a check from the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association to help with travel costs.

The sheriff’s office held a press conference at 2 p.m. to provide more updates on the situation to the public. The update from law enforcement was streamed live on the WCTV Facebook page.

You can read WCTV’s original story about the shooting and manhunt for Miedema below.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCTV as we gather the latest details for our next update.

TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) - A Taylor County sheriff’s deputy is recovering at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital after being shot multiple times in the line of duty Tuesday night, according to a TCSO spokesperson. According to FHP, the deputy was flown to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The shooting happened on US near Deer Run Road, about 25 miles south of Perry, around 9:32 p.m. Tuesday.

A Blue Alert was issued shortly after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. It asked the public to help find the suspect, Gregory Ryan Miedema. He’s described as a 33-year-old weighing 165 pounds and is 5′8″ tall.

Gregory is suspected to be driving a 2000 gold Chrysler Sebring with a Florida license plate reading Y78TKU.

If you see Gregory, police say not to approach him and to call 911 immediately.

WCTV is also able to confirm Gregory is a registered sex offender in the state of Florida. According to FDLE records, he was convicted of intercourse with a minor in 2011 as well as possession of child pornography. The FDLE also states he was convicted under the court jurisdiction of the U.S. Military in Hawaii.

According to FDLE’s website, a Blue Alert is issued when the following criteria are met:

• 1. A law enforcement officer must have been:
  • seriously injured;
  • killed by a subject(s); or
  • become missing while in the line of duty under circumstances causing concern for the law enforcement officer’s safety.
• 2. The investigating agency must determine that the offender(s) poses a serious risk to the public or to other law enforcement officers and the alert may help avert further harm or assist in the apprehension of the suspect.
• 3. A detailed description of the offender’s vehicle or other means of escape, (vehicle tag or partial tag) must be available for broadcast to the public.
• 4. The local law enforcement agency of jurisdiction must recommend issuing the Blue Alert.

TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) - Deputy Troy Anderson is expected to make a full recovery while being treated at Shands Hospital in Gainsville, according to law enforcement.

The Taylor County Sheriff says Anderson will be undergoing reconstructive surgery on his face.

Anderson does not have any children, but he was joined in Gainsville by his wife Heather, who received a check from the Florida Deputy Sheriff’s Association to help with travel costs.

Anderson’s uncle also released statement asking for continued prayers and thanking those who have reached out to show support on social media.

There will be a fund set up so people can donate to Anderson’s recovery efforts.

This is a developing story. Stay with WCTV for the latest.

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