Police say man nearly ran over Jackson officer before chase

JACKSON, Tenn. — A man accused of nearly running over a Jackson police officer appeared Tuesday in Jackson City Court. Investigators said the suspect led officers on a chase through parts of downtown and east Jackson.

Michael Cole faces more than a dozen counts including felony evading, reckless endangerment and drug offenses. Investigators say Cole nearly ran over a Jackson police officer after a Friday afternoon traffic stop near North Royal Street and Lexington Avenue.

Michael Allen works near where the chase ended. “The best word to describe it is ‘scary,’” he said.

Police said Cole drove off, pulled an officer several feet and hit the right side of that officer’s duty belt with the car. Police said they caught up with Cole near the intersection of East Chester and Cartmell streets.

Police said during the chase Cole is suspected of throwing a black bag with drugs in it out of the car along James Buchanan Drive. Police said they found pills, cocaine and marijuana in the bag.

“There is no such thing as a routine traffic stop,” Madison County Sheriff’s Office Director of Professional Standards Michelle Mehr said.

Mehr said a man attacked her nearly 20 years ago after a traffic stop in Texas. “Anytime you deal with a traffic stop, that’s one of the most dangerous things that you deal with,” she said.

Allen said people who attack police need to be behind bars. “That’s our law enforcement,” he said. “That’s what’s keeping us safe.”

Cole is currently free on a $75,000 bond. He is scheduled to return to court June 23.