JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -
A single gunshot from Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd stopped a wanted fugitive in his tracks. Steven Milam is a suspected bank robber from Tyler, Texas. The man dubbed the "Handsome Guy Bandit" Steven Milam is accused of attempting to kill a police officer Saturday while robbing a bank in Richardson, Texas.
Though it's unknown why he made his way to South Mississippi, it took the heroic efforts of the sheriff to bring him to justice.
Tuesday morning, a Jackson County deputy on routine patrol saw Milam's red car. He ran the license tag and found out the person inside was a wanted fugitive.
"It was very important that we get him stopped," Sheriff Byrd said. "He is responsible for approximately 11 bank robberies in Texas."
The "Handsome Guy" nickname comes from the mask police said Milam would wear during the heists. During the most recent robbery, investigators said Milam shot up a patrol car.
"When you have someone what has killed a law enforcement officer, or tried to kill a law enforcement officer, it is personal."
Byrd said deputies tried to stop Milam three times while he drove through Jackson County, even throwing down spikes to deflate his tires. But the suspect kept driving. So the sheriff decided to take action.
"To keep anyone else from possible getting injured, I made the decision, and I shot out the right rear tire at 85 miles an hour," Byrd said.
Byrd's good aim flattened the tire, ending the high speed chase. But the suspect still didn't give up. Deputies said Milam refused to get out the vehicle, so they pulled him out and cuffed him.
"I feel real good that he is in custody," Sheriff Byrd said. "This is a dangerous person."
Byrd believes he made the right decision to help his team capture this wanted man.
"I am a hands on sheriff. I work with my men, and I am not going to ask them to do anything that I wouldn't do."
Milam will be charged with felony fleeing in Jackson County, then he'll be extradited to Texas to face other charges.
Byrd said after his arrest, Milam became sick on the ride to the sheriff's department. Byrd said it appeared Milam had taken a number of pills. He's currently at Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula for treatment.
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Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd's good aim flattened the right rear tire of Steven Milam's car, ending a high speed chase Tuesday morning on I-10.
The "Handsome Guy Bandit" nickname comes from the mask worn by the robber in 11 bank heists in the Dallas, TX area.
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