A retired police officer from Rhode Island stopped to assist a highway patrolman who was making an arrest.
The incident happened during a traffic stop November 28th, along I-75 west near mile marker 94.
"The stop took place for excessive speed, the vehicle was traveling 100 miles per hour," said Florida Highway Patrolman Lt. Greg Bueno.
After making the stop, the patrolman encountered 19-year-old Richard Lazo-Torres of Coral Gables, and 24-year-old Issac Ruiz-Wilson of Miami. Both men initially refused orders to get out of their car.
"During the course of that process, a good samaritan potentially perceived the person was in need of assistance," said Bueno.
That person was a retired police officer from Rhode Island. Jeffrey Duclos, said he was afraid the situation would escalate, so he pulled over to make sure everything was OK.
Lazo-Torres and Ruiz Wilson were taken into custody without incident.
"They were arrested for resisting arrest without violence," said Bueno.
The Collier County Sheriff's Office says it is also getting questions from the public on what to do if they see a law enforcement officer struggling with a hostile person.
CCSO says your safety should be your first priority and your response depends on your level of training.
"Traffic stops can be unpredictable, that's why certified, trained law enforcement officers are assigned with conducting them. At the end of the day we want everyone to go home safely," said Bueno.
Duclos commended the patrolman for how he handled the traffic stop.
