Crisp County deputy shot in face during traffic stop

<p>A Crisp County sheriff's deputy was seriously wounded early Saturday when he was shot in the face during a traffic stop.</p><p>Steve Rankin, 25, was on a respirator in stable condition Saturday night in the intensive care unit at The Medical Center of Central Georgia. He is expected to survive, said Sheriff Donnie Haralson.</p><p>Rankin was shot under his eye and the bullet lodged near his spine, Haralson said.</p><p>Ben Westbrook III, 32, surrendered to officers later at the MLK Trailer Park in Cordele and is being held in the Crisp County Detention Center, Haralson said.</p><p>He faces charges that include attempted murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Haralson said.</p><p>Rankin's patrol car video camera recorded the shooting at 1:50 a.m. off Georgia 300, the sheriff said.</p><p>Haralson said when the deputy approached the car, he was shot point-blank in his face and fell down to the ground.</p><p>The suspect tried to fire again but the gun jammed, so he hit the deputy with the gun and kicked him in the head. The video shows Westbrook trying to take Rankin's gun but the deputy was able to turn, get back to his patrol car and was able to return fire, Haralson said.</p><p>Westbrook drove off in a bullet-ridden Mercury Sable that investigators later traced back to him, the sheriff said.</p><p>Hours later, Westbrook called a deputy and asked about turning himself in. Officers then arrested him at the trailer park, Haralson said.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x1cd9bfc)</p>