A St. Johns County deputy gained internet fame after bodycam footage showed him chasing and "arresting" an escaped emu on County Road 13, twenty miles west of St. Augustine. Cpl. Keisler responded Friday to reports of the large bird running loose on the roadway.
"Interesting, I'm in pursuit of an emu," Keisler said during the chase. After the bird ignored commands and kicked at officers, Keisler cornered it near what appeared to be its enclosure. "I'll be honest with you, I've never handcuffed an emu before," he admitted before securing the bird's legs with handcuffs to prevent kicking. "Are you done resisting?" he joked during the arrest.
The 25-year veteran officer called it "definitely a new one" in his career. The emu was safely returned to its owner, and the sheriff's office confirmed "all criminal charges against the emu were dropped.