Sheriff's office, friends show support for Brevard deputy critically injured in shootout

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Brevard County deputy ambushed and shot multiple times during a prostitution bust remains in unstable critical condition Friday after undergoing several surgeries.

The injured officer has been identified as Agent John “Casey” Smith.

A steady stream of family members, friends and fellow deputies have come to Orlando Regional Medical Center to visit Smith and support his wife.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said Smith has a long road ahead of him.

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Ivey said deputies were responding to a home on Covina Street in Port St. John about 9:30 p.m. Thursday for reports of prostitution.

As agents attempted to arrest Mary Derossett, 42, they said John Derossett, 65, came out and began firing shots, several of which struck Smith, authorities said.

"They were trying to make an arrest, working jointly with Titusville Police Department. As they approached, the man opened fire," Ivey said on Thursday.

"All I heard was a series of eight (shots) in a row, very rapidly," said witness Kathy Wood. "I got out. I looked out the window, I saw some commotion on the side of the house, and it looked like an officer."

Derossett was shot when Smith returned fire, but his injuries were not life-threatening.

"We are still very early in the investigation and we’re trying to put the pieces together of what took place tonight," Ivey said. "It’s just crazy to me somebody would open fire on our deputies. They were clearly marked."

A Brevard County Sheriff's Office SWAT team and a robot helped clear the home.

"I would say given that they, from everything we see right now, they had not gotten up to the house. I would classify it as an ambush," Ivey said. "We do not have a lot of knowledge of this individual. We knew who the female was we were going after, but on this individual, we were unaware of him."

Ivey said Smith's tactical vest likely blocked at least one round and prevented even worse injuries.

The other deputies involved in the sting were not hurt.

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Mary Derossett was charged with solicitation for prostitution and was taken to the Brevard County Jail on $500 bond.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating, along with the Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said John Derossett has no local arrest history.

Smith's wife, children and many law enforcement officers are with him at Orlando Regional Medical Center, officials said. Family members from other states have also come to his side.

"I have spoken several times today with his wife, spent a great deal of time with her," said Ivey. "She is a rock. She knows that her role right now is to take care of her husband and her children. She knows that we are going to take care of them."

Smith has been employed with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office since August 2009. He is currently assigned as an investigative agent in the Criminal Investigations Division.

During his employment, Smith has been awarded with multiple letters of appreciation, commendable service awards, a deputy of the month and a meritorious award.

WFTV