A Shelby County Sheriff's Deputy is recovering this afternoon after being bitten by a pit bull dog this morning in Northaven. The Deputy was hurt as he arrested the dog’s owner who had minutes before tried to run over another Sheriff’s Deputy in a school zone.

Just after 8 o’clock this morning, Deputies Gary Lambert and John Shields, both with the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Bureau, were checking the speed of vehicles in a school zone near Northaven Elementary School.

A white 1998 Mitsubishi Galant driven by Reco Johnson, 30, was going west on North Circle Road and sped through the 15 mph zone going 33 mph. When Officer Shields stepped out to flag over Johnson’s vehicle, Johnson sped up narrowly missing the Deputy.

Both Deputies got into their squad car and pursued Johnson’s vehicle to his home in the 400 block of Fox Valley. Johnson jumped out of the car and Deputy Lambert chased him into the backyard. As Deputy Lambert arrested Johnson, Johnson commanded two pit bull dogs to attack the Deputy. The dogs were in a pen but the door was not latched.

One of the dogs was killed after it bit Deputy Lambert in the leg. The other dog ran off but was later captured by a Rabies Control Officer.

Deputy Lambert was treated and released from the hospital.

Reco Johnson was charged with:

• Aggravated Assault
• Resisting Official Detention
• Speeding
• Felony Evading
• Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
• Reckless Endangerment

Johnson’s two year-old daughter was in the car and was not strapped in a child restraint seat.

At the time of his arrest today, Johnson was also a fugitive for violating probation on drug charges last year.