WHEATFIELD — On 12/23/2023, shortly before 0500 hours Niagara County Sheriff’s Deputy Sikora, who was on routine patrol, observed a vehicle coming at him from the opposite direction on Mapleton Road.
According to NCSO, as the vehicle approached the patrol car it veered into Deputy Sikora’s lane, causing a head on collision with the patrol vehicle. After the collision, the male driver, later identified as SCHUYLER P. JOHNSON, 52 years old, from the Town of Cambria, exited his vehicle and immediately went to the back of his pick-up truck to retrieve something from his vehicle.
Deputy Sikora seeing this, went to the back of his patrol vehicle to obtain cover and a tactical position. Deputy Sikora began to verbally engage JOHNSON, who ignored his commands. JOHNSON had retrieved a gas can from his vehicle and proceeded to the front of Sheriff’s Vehicle. JOHNSON poured gas onto the Sheriff’s vehicle and then ignited it. JOHNSON then returned to his vehicle and fled the scene North on Shawnee Road.
Deputy Sikora used his radio to call out the direction the vehicle fled. He was able to use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out on the patrol vehicle. Deputy Sikora was not injured as a result of the accident. Other patrol units had started towards the area of Shawnee Road to assist and look for the fleeing vehicle. JOHNSON’s vehicle was located by a Sheriff’s Patrol Supervisor on Shawnee Road overturned after it was involved in another accident.
Captain Grainge quickly located JOHNSON and engaged with verbal commands to surrender. JOHNSON not only refused the commands but advanced towards Captain Grainge with a knife. Captain Grainge deployed his Taser on JOHNSON which was unsuccessful in stopping JOHNSON. At one point during this encounter with Captain Grainge, JOHNSON dropped the knife he was holding, rearming himself instead with screw driver and continued to advance towards Captain Grainge.
At this point, Captain Grainge deployed OC spray on JOHNSON which caused JOHNSON to surrender. JOHNSON was transported by Tri-Community Ambulance to E.C.M.C. for injuries sustained in the two vehicle accidents. JOHNSON will be charged with several Vehicle & Traffic tickets in addition to several Penal Law charges upon his discharge from the hospital.
