Deputy arrested during domestic dispute

A Nassau County Sheriff’s deputy was in the Nassau County Jail Friday after he was arrested in connection with a domestic dispute involving a firearm.
According to Sheriff Bill Leeper, a deputy responded to a call to Wildlight after 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31, that involved a deputy who was off duty at the time. Deputy Earice Ray Rhoden, 49, had attempted to leave a residence with a firearm after he had had an altercation with a family member. Leeper’s statement said Rhoden had been drinking.

According to the warrant, Lt. G. Rhoden responded to the call. The caller said Earice Rhoden was intoxicated and armed with a pistol and a rifle, and the caller “needed assistance calming him down.” Earice Rhoden was attempting to leave the residence. When Earice Rhoden saw Lt. Rhoden arrive, Earice Rhoden was in the garage and tried to enter the house, but could not as the door was locked. He then “fired his weapon twice in an unknown direction,” and Lt. Rhoden fled the residence and requested backup from NCSO’s Response Team and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics, who responded to the scene.
Deputy B. Burnette responded to the call, and said Earice Rhoden “fired five shots from his weapon that went over the top of his marked patrol vehicle along with two follow-up shots towards the NCSO drone that was flying over his residence.” Burnette said he saw Earice Rhoden outside the residence “holding a pistol along with a rifle.” Deputy Burnette  engaged in a dialogue with Earice Rhoden, at which point Earice pointed his pistol at the deputy.

A warrant was obtained, and Earice Rhoden was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol. He was released Saturday, Sept. 2, on a $20,000 bond.

“First and foremost, I would like to say we here at the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office are a family and to hear that one of our deputies was involved in a situation like this is deeply saddening,” Leeper said. “I am thankful this incident was resolved peacefully and no one was hurt. Deputies are human and struggle with issues just like many others in our society. There are several programs that the sheriff’s office offers for our employees in order to get the help that they need, and we encourage anyone to reach out if they need it. At this time, Rhoden has been suspended without pay.”