A Pinellas County, Florida Sheriff’s Deputy whose day-off trip to a shopping mall turned into a life-or-death confrontation with armed carjacking suspect has been chosen by the public as a finalist in the 2008 America’s Most Wanted All-Star Contest. Now, voting is underway to determine if he’ll win the $10,000 Grand Prize in the contest, which is sponsored by Sprint. 

In February, 2007, Deputy Scott Reid was at the mall with his family when he observed a man acting suspiciously. He called 911, but as he waited for a patrol car to arrive, Deputy Reid saw the suspect put on a mask, pull out a gun and enter a vehicle occupied by two people. The deputy knew he had to act, and he moved in on the vehicle. The armed suspect fled with the victims’ cash and jewelry, and as Deputy Reid chased him, police say the suspect turned his gun on the officer. The deputy fired two shots, hitting the suspect and putting an end to the threat. His brave actions that day have already earned Deputy Reid several awards, including FOP Deputy of the Year.

Several grateful residents nominated Deputy Scott Reid for the AMW All-Star award, and he became the second of eight weekly finalists to be chosen by the public in the AMW All-Star Contest, which honors the heroic work performed by the nation’s first responders.

With all eight weekly finalists now in place, members of the public will now cast their votes for the Grand Prize winner. Anyone can vote once a day, every day, either at AMW’s website, www.amw.com, or by text message using their Sprint phones. Details on how to vote by phone will appear on the AMW website. The voting ends on May 6 and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

AMW host John Walsh will present the 2008 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 17th.