OCALA, FL – A scenario that unfolded in Marion County could have taken a turn for the worse, perhaps even fatal, but the calm and cool response by a Sheriff’s Office deputy turned the event around for the better.
On January 8, 2021 Marion County Sheriff’s Office Cpl. Eli Serrano conducted a traffic stop on a 1988 blue Ford Bronco for running a stop sign. The driver, later identified as Allen Buford, pulled over and handed Cpl. Serrano an ID card stating he lost his Driver’s License. As Cpl. Serrano went back to his car to check the validity of his license, Buford fled from the stop.
After a brief pursuit, Buford pulled over and exited his vehicle grabbing a gun and holding it by his side. Buford continuously asked Cpl. Serrano to kill him stating his life was over. Cpl. Serrano was able to convince Buford to put the gun down; however, he turned to walk away from Cpl. Serrano and was tasered. He was arrested for Fleeing/Elude, Display of a Firearm during a Felony, DWLSR and Carrying Concealed Weapon. He was transported to the Marion County Jail.
Buford was out on bond for 2019 charges of 2 counts of Capital Sex Battery, 1 count of Lewd or Lascivious Battery, 1 count of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation and Violation of Probation.