Firefighter Reacts to Punch In Face

The glancing blow caught Ron Neuberger in the jaw.

The Clearwater Fire and Rescue investigator was trying to find out what went wrong with Gary Steven Cook’s car Wednesday afternoon on Myrtle Avenue near downtown Clearwater.

Cook was involved in a crash. He had hit two other vehicles before trying to peel out, digging a nearly four-inch gash into the asphalt.

Neuberger reached inside the partially rolled down window in an attempt to turn the ignition off. That is when Cook punched him.

“It took me back,” Neuberger said. “It was like, 'Wow, what just happened?' ”

Shaken, Neuberger again tried to find out if the man needed medical assistance. Cook seemed disoriented, Neuberger said. He secured the man's arm and when he started to come around, Neuberger told him he was involved in a car accident.

“It doesn’t happen often. You hear about it across the country, but in Pinellas County you just don’t hear about it much,” said Neuberger, who was just off-duty at the time.

The incident will not change the way Neuberger does his job.

“Maybe a little more cautious,” he said with a laugh. “(I’ll) keep my guard up.”

Cook was arrested and charged with battery on a firefighter and driving under the influence. He has three prior DUI convictions.

The crime is the same as if Cook punched a police officer.

Rescue and emergency responders are protected under the same statutes as law enforcement officers. Striking one comes with a felony charge that officials make sure to prosecute, Neuberger said.

Although the incidents are rare, a Largo Fire Firefighter was kicked while checking on the wellbeing of a man lying face down in the street June 7. While giving aid, Keith Bradley Winn, kicked firefighter Tim Burnham.

Neuberger does not see the incidents as a trend.

“With the police it happens more,” Neuberger said. “Probably throughout the country you may hear about it a couple times a month, throughout the entire country... With Pinellas County it’s just rare.”

Neuberger helped rescue four puppies and their mother and father when a house caught fire in Clearwater in May. His wife works at the SPCA and the puppies and mother were taken to the shelter for care.

Then for the first time, Neuberger, a 27-year veteran firefighter, was punched.

It is quite a welcome to the squad.

He started with Clearwater Fire and Rescue in August.

Related coverage:

• Police: Driver Who Punched Rescuer Faces Battery Charge
• Myrtle Avenue Closed After Road Rage Incident

Sign up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.