From the Douglas County Sherriff’s Office:
During the early morning hours of April 13,2025 the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was advised that Ozark Police Department was in a pursuit entering Douglas County. Deputy Shawn Wilson joined the pursuit at the County line on W.14 Highway.
Sheriff Degase was contacted and responded to the north junction where he attempted divert the suspect vehicle on to N 5 Highway to keep it out town. The suspect vehicle continued into town and turned into Signal. Sheriff Degase and Deputy Wilson attempted to block in the suspect vehicle in the Signal parking lot. The suspect then rammed Sheriff Degase and Deputy Wilson before backing up and ramming an Ozark PD unit.
Sheriff Degase ordered the Suspect later identified as Steven Browning of Sparta out of the vehicle. Browning refused to exit the vehicle as Sheriff Degase attempted to remove him from the vehicle and he continued resisting arrest.
Sheriff Degase assisted Browning from the vehicle where Deputy Wilson, Ava PD Officer Berkshire and Ozark PD Officers assisted with getting him in handcuffs. Browning continued to resist and attempted to obtain a knife from a fanny pack on his waist. Ozark PD K9 assisted with securing Browning while cuffs were applied.
Sheriff Degase applied for a warrant which was received for the following criminal charges.
3 counts 1st Degree assault on LEO
3 Counts armed criminal action
Aggregated fleeing arrest
Possession of methamphetamine
Possession of drug paraphernalia
DWI
Due to the violent and reckless actions of Browning NO BOND was set in this case.
Sheriff Degase and Deputy Wilson sustained minor injuries.
Sheriff Degase would like to thank the Ozark PD Officers and K9 and the Ava Police Department for their assistance.
“We were very fortunate that no one was seriously injured in this incident. There is only one good and that is knowledge and one evil and that is ignorance.”
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