Accused Crook Caught in the Act Learns What Can Happen When You Refuse to Surrender to an Off-Duty Cop

Wilford McCloud, 32, has quite a rap sheet.

He's been to prison four times, according to WJXT-TV, and was arrested as recently as last week for having a concealed weapon. Police say that early Sunday he targeted a Jacksonville-area neighborhood, breaking into five cars. But lucky for the neighbors, one of their own who also happensto be an off-duty sheriff's deputy caught him in the act. And that led to a violent confrontation.

Accused cook Wilford McCloud (left), who police say was shot by Deputy Jessie Hulton (right) after McCloud attacked Hulton when he was caught in the act of burglary. (Source: WJXT-TV screen shots)

As WJXT reports, the off-duty deputy chased McCloud to the back of a nearby house and began shouting commands to surrender. Instead, he resisted violently. That's when shots rang out.

Jesse Lehan heard the whole thing. At one point, he went to get his brother to have him come outside and witness what was happening.

"By the time I came back outside with him we probably heard it [the command to surrender] four or five more times and then probably after the fourth or fifth time heard four gunshots," he told the station.

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McCloud was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He's facing several charges, including burglary and assaulting a an officer.

The deputy, eight-year veteran Jessie Holton, has been placed on leave while the shooting is under investigation.