GOODRICH — A Livingston man is now in custody after the sheriff ’s office says he refused lawful commands and assaulted a deputy.
On Monday just before 1 p.m., Deputy Dylan Dickerson was patrolling the Goodrich area when he observed a 2011 Chevrolet truck speed above the posted limit. A traffic stop was initiated, and the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of the Dollar General located on Loop 393.
The driver was identified as Robert Thomas Hood, 46, a resident of Livingston. During the course of the stop, it was determined Hood’s driver’s license was invalid and that he had a prior arrest on record.
Dickerson requested Hood exit the vehicle. However, Hood refused and requested to speak with a supervisor. When Hood continued to refuse lawful commands, Dickerson removed him from the vehicle. At that time, Hood physically resisted further, striking Dickerson in the face.
In response to the assault and continued resistance, Dickerson deployed his electronic control device twice. Hood was successfully taken into custody without further incident, as additional officers arrived on the scene.
Hood was charged with the offenses of driving while license invalid; resisting arrest, search or transport; and assault on a peace officer. The vehicle was towed from the scene, and Hood’s dog was released to his sister.
Sheriff Byron Lyons would like to add that the trend of asking for a supervisor on a traffic stop is not a law in Texas, nor is it in the policy of the sheriff ’s office for the deputy to do so. Lyons asks that lawful orders are followed and that the proper venue to contest a citation is in court, and not on the side of the roadway, which he said is unsafe and unproductive for everyone involved.
