Sallisaw Police Officers Risk Their Lives, Crash Into Pursuit Vehicle On Path For Crowded Festival

Two Sallisaw Police officers are being called heroes after putting their lives on the line to stop a car from running into a crowd of people.

The officers hit the speeding car head on and possibly saved lives by doing so.

The car was heading straight toward the Diamond Daze Festival in Sallisaw before Captain John Weber and Officer Wesley McGuirt, both with the Sallisaw Police Department, crashed into it.

"Had to be swift,” said Weber. “And we had to make that decision immediately. And based on the totality of the circumstances of the information that we received, I knew that was the only thing that we could do to make them stop."

Weber says putting his life on the line is just part of the job.

"We all swear an oath to do to serve and protect,” said Weber. “And, you know, we definitely, definitely felt the hands of God with us that day, to give us the courage and also to go home safely."

The car can be seen on security footage driving toward the kids' area of the festival.

Without the officers' actions, Sallisaw Police Chief Terry Franklin says this situation could have been a lot worse.

"If it hadn't been for Captain Weber and Officer McGuirt, making the decision that they did to intercept it, we will be here talking about casualties,” said Franklin. “Thoughts on we're fortunate that, you know, the Almighty was looking out for us all here in our city."

McGuirt says taking care of the people who live in Sallisaw isn't a responsibility he takes lightly and he was glad he was able to keep them safe.

"I've applied here to work for Sallisaw for to do that reason, because I live in this area,” said McGuirt. “And I want to be able to help our community. And I think that's what we did. And we protected them as well."

Weber has a broken wrist and McGuirt has some bruises, but both are already back at work.

There were three people in the car involved in the chase- two of them, Courtney Walker and Carlten Rucker, have been booked into the Sequoyah County Jail, while the other is in the hospital.

Once he is out of the hospital, he will also be booked into jail.