A career criminal, convicted felon led him on a dangerous, high speed pursuit, but now it’s Deputy Michael Shaw that is facing charges

On October 8, 2021, Bladen County, NC deputy sheriff Michael Shaw made a traffic stop of a convicted felon named William Cain. Mr. Cain was a convicted felon with whom Deputy Shaw had arrested in the past.

During the stop, Michael saw ammunition in Cain’s glove compartment. As a convicted felon, Cain was prohibited from possessing ammunition. It also raised Michael’s concern that Cain could be illegally carrying a firearm.

Just then, Cain took off in the truck, leading deputies on a dangerous, 11-mile high speed pursuit until he crashed into a dark pond in a rural, unlit area.

Michael and another deputy were able to get Cain into handcuffs on the edge of the pond, but not before Michael had to use force, by a minor “stunning” strike to the head, to get Cain safely arrested.

Shockingly, the local district attorney decided to charge Michael with a crime for a very minor use of necessary force.

Michael Shaw is a highly-decorated and respected member of law enforcement for nearly twenty years. He has an unblemished professional history.

He is married and has three young children.