Local hero's story featured on 'Crisis Point'

A local deputy’s heroism will be recounted Sunday night on the cable series “Crisis Point.” The episode airs 9 p.m., June 29, on TruTV (channel 103 on Hutchinson Telephone Co.’s cable service).

On June 18, 2007, McLeod County Sheriff’s Deputy Jennifer Mueller was dragged for about 20 to 25 feet on Highway 212, east of Stewart, by an escaping suspect’s vehicle. Mueller had stopped Jerry Dean Burt, of Olivia, after he earlier left the scene of a domestic assault.

Mueller tried to stop Burt from speeding away, but her arm was trapped in the door of his GMC Suburban. She fell to the pavement, striking her head, then jumped in her squad car to join pursuit with other officers who had just arrived.

Click here to watch the in-camera video of the June 18, 2007 incident.

Burt was captured after a high-speed chase. He was later convicted of fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle and domestic assault. He is serving a sentence at the state prison in Faribault and is expected to be released this October.

Mueller later received a Meritorious Service Award for courage, dedication and devotion to duty without regard for her personal safety. Deputies Paul Schermann, Brian Stiles and Sgt. Jayson Boraas helped Mueller pursue and arrest Burt. They received letters of recognition for outstanding teamwork and professionalism.

Sunday night’s episode of “Crisis Point” will include a re-enactment of the event. Earlier this year, Mueller taped an interview for TruTV (formerly Court TV) and served as a technical advisor for the segment. A stuntwoman played Mueller for the dragging re-enactment.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)