Deputy Blocker Disarms Armed Suspect at Walmart

Manatee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Michael Blocker has been named Deputy of the Month for April 2026 after he disarmed an armed suspect at a Walmart in March without injury.

Blocker responded to a call about a man who threatened to shoot people at the store and said he wanted to force law enforcement to shoot him. When Blocker located the suspect, the man brandished a handgun and fired a shot into the air.

Blocker confronted the suspect and secured his compliance at gunpoint, taking him into custody before additional units arrived. No members of the public or responding deputies were injured.

Sheriff's Office leadership credited Blocker's tactical awareness and composure with preventing loss of life.