Deputy fires shot at man who fled courthouse
Photo 
Gerald Bunders
ELKHORN — A Delavan man wanted on criminal traffic charges in Iowa and Dane counties was arrested Monday after a sheriff's deputy fired a shot at his vehicle and a town of Delavan police squad car later bumped the man's car to the side of the road.
Gerald E. Bunders, 26, is accused of fleeing the Walworth County Judicial Center when deputies tried to arrest him at 9:08 a.m. Monday, according to a news release from the Walworth County Sheriff's Office.
Bunders was in court Monday for a misdemeanor marijuana possession case, according to court records. He had missed a court appearance Friday, Jan. 9, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Bunders ran from the building to the parking lot and started his Chevrolet Tahoe. Deputy Brandon Beecroft drew his weapon and ordered Bunders to turn off his vehicle, but Bunders placed his vehicle into reverse and accelerated out of the parking space toward Beecroft, according to the release.
Fearing for his safety, Beecroft fired his weapon into Bunders' vehicle, according to the release.
Bunders escaped, and authorities put out a countywide broadcast to find him.
A short time later, city of Delavan and town of Delavan police located Bunders' vehicle near Interstate 43 and County X, according to the release. Town of Delavan Sgt. Ray Clark intentionally made contact between his squad car and Bunders' vehicle—something Walworth County Sheriff David Graves described as a "bump" or a "nudge"—near Highway X and Elm Ridge Road.
Bunders was taken into custody without further incident.
No injuries were reported.
Bunders remained in the Walworth County Jail this morning.
When the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Walworth County District Attorney's Office for review, and charges could result, Graves said.
Beecroft has been placed on administrative duty, which is standard procedure for an officer involved in a shooting, according to the release.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office is assisting the Walworth County Sheriff's Office in the investigation.
Jan 25, 2009 at 4:01 p.m.
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A few faults, sounds like he has lots. Look at what he is charged with. The sex offender registration part is enough to make my skin crawl! Maybe that was why he was trying to run over the police and get away. That charge has a stiff penalty!
Jan 19, 2009 at 10:41 a.m.
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if you are refering to me im not his girlfriend just a good friend........
are you perfect?
Jan 14, 2009 at 7:34 p.m.
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It was prolly Jerry's (ahem) girlfriend there. Cryin' and whinin'.
LMAO
Jan 14, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
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Well, my goodness... who was naughty and got the whole pile of posts from yesterday deleted? Or was it an oops by the Gazette staff?
Just curious...
Jan 14, 2009 at 4:27 p.m.
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Oh. My. God.
Jan 14, 2009 at 3:31 p.m.
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i love you jerry i dont care what people on here say. you are a great person with a few faults. you were so on your way to getting your head out of the gutter now this. keep your head up serve your time and get out for your boys they love you. miss you see you soon.
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