911 calls from Wal-Mart show confusion after deputy pulled gun

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Updated: March 16, 2012 8:04AM

The Kendall County Emergency Dispatch Center was slammed with calls from concerned and confused shoppers after an off-duty sheriff’s deputy pulled his gun on a customer who had shoved him.

The tapes of 911 calls made from the Wal-Mart on Route 34 were released after a Freedom of Information Act request by The Beacon-News. There were at least 13 calls in the few minutes after the deputy drew his weapon inside the store at 2300 Route 34 in Oswego on Super Bowl Sunday. The audio of the calls is available at beaconnewsonline.com.

According to Oswego police, Jason Thurmond, 38, of Montgomery, shoved the deputy at 12:04 p.m. on Feb. 5, prompting the deputy to pull out his weapon. No shots were fired and no one was injured, but Thurmond was charged with misdemeanor battery.

The officer was identified in the report, but is not being named by The Beacon-News because he is the victim of an alleged battery. Kendall County Sgt. Joe Jasnosz said as of Tuesday afternoon, the veteran deputy remained on active duty with his regular assignments. Jasnosz said the sheriff’s internal investigation into the incident continues.

Thurmond had stepped out of line while his wife was ringing up items. When he returned, Thurmond said his wife, who is nine months pregnant, looked upset and the deputy was yelling at her about holding up the line. Thurmond did not know the man was an off-duty police officer and told him to get in another line. At that point, Thurmond, who is 5-foot-5 and 355 pounds according to court records, said the off-duty deputy stepped toward him.

Thurmond admits he then shoved the deputy. At that point, the officer pulled out his gun and pointed it at Thurmond’s chest, Thurmond said.

Not long after the confrontation, 911 calls started pouring in. The recordings show customers and employees were confused but generally calm. People closest to the argument seemed to realize the deputy was a police officer.

“We got a police officer and he’s trying to arrest someone right now,” says one man. “He pushed the police officer and he needs back-up.”

The dispatcher asks the caller whether he’s in the parking lot.

“No we’re in No. 2 check-out,” the man replies.

In the background, a man — presumably the deputy — can be heard yelling, “Get down on the ground.”

Dispatchers said they were getting numerous calls. It was initially unclear to dispatchers whether the deputy and the customer both had guns or just the officer. A woman who said she was standing about 30 feet from the deputy and Thurmond tried to describe the scene.

“There’s a man in Wal-Mart brandishing a gun ... ,” she said. “Wait a minute. He might be showing a badge. I am not sure what’s going on.”

The woman tried to get closer while the dispatcher waited on the line.

“Everybody’s a bit confused here,” the caller said. “I’m not sure if this guy’s for real. He’s got blue jeans. Everybody’s staying away from him. He’s put the gun back in his waistband. He’s holding something up like a badge. This is weird ... If it’s a joke, it’s a really bad one.”

Oswego Police Detective Rob Sherwood said his department’s investigation showed Thurmond did not know the deputy was a police officer because he was not wearing his uniform. Had Thurmond known he was a police officer and still chosen to shove him, he could have been charged with a felony. Thurmond is scheduled to be in court March 28. He has filed a complaint with the sheriff’s office.

Sherwood said Oswego has closed the investigation, which ends at the battery charges. No other charges are expected.