Florida police officer sent running by bull on the loose

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fl. (WHDH) -- A Florida police officer got a front row seat to a rodeo when a bull was loose on the streets!

A deputy rolled up on the scene of a traffic crash never dreaming of what his dash-camera would catch - a loose bull running a fellow deputy down.

"Some bruised ribs and a bruised elbow and bruised knee... so nothing serious,” said Sgt. Richard LaLonde.

For 16 years Sargeant LaLonde had been an Alachua County Sheriff's Deputy. He grew up in the county, but his experience around loose livestock? Extremely limited - and he hopes after Saturday it's his last.

"The bull was obviously agitated... you know, it had just been through a wreck. I knew when that bull fell and he stood up, the way he looked, that he wasn't happy,” said Sgt. LaLonde.

Cops knew they were rolling into a crash scene it wasn't clear that a livestock trailer was ripped open after a blown tire and crash.

It got really clear for Trooper Matt Simmons as he dove over the hood of his cruiser to get away.

LaLonde was just glad the upset bull didn't have horns.

"He actually contacted me in my left hip... and if he had had horns he would have stuck me about mid area,” said Sgt. LaLonde.

The sergeant said this settles it for what he hopes is a once in a lifetime experience.

"I can check rodeo clown off my bucket list,” said Sgt. LaLonde.

Eventually the bull ran off the interstate and deputies had to put it down with several gunshots.

LaLonde said it was so close to an exit, with restaurants and people out and about, they couldn't risk the bull doing hurting anybody else.

"We had no other choice but to euthanize him for the safety of, not only ourselves, but of the public,” said Sgt. LaLonde.

That bull came from the back of a trailer that has blown a tire.

That trailer had 32 bulls in it -- luckily he was the only one that got away.