Darry Waters

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An ex-convict from Tennessee was shot and killed Sunday night after stealing a police cruiser, ramming other police cars before pulling a "Rambo-like" knife on officers, police said on Monday.
The incident happened about 10 p.m. at Hilltop Village Apartments on West 45th Street, where police were still on site investigating a stabbing that occurred 12 hours earlier.
Darry Edward Waters, 38, who was released from a Tennessee prison in February after serving time for either second-degree murder or manslaughter, died at the scene, according to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Chief Rick Graham. Graham said the incident began when an officer responded to a call about someone stealing a bicycle. When police approached a man witnesses identified as a suspect, the man took off running. The responding officer pursued him on foot.
"The suspect runs around the building, goes back to the officer's car ... jumps into the marked patrol car and speeds off," Graham said.
The officer radioed for help and was quickly backed up by three other officers already at the apartment complex investigating the earlier stabbing. Police said the man drove the patrol car through the apartment complex parking lot and crashed into the other patrol cars, pinning one officer inside his car.
"The suspect jumps out, has a very large knife in his hand, engages one of our officer in close-quarter physical altercation, trying to stab the officer," Graham said.

Graham said that's when two officers opened fire and fatally shot Waters. He died at the scene.
"It's a miracle we don't have officers hurt badly," Graham said. "The officer definitely perceived a threat and did what he did in the defense of his own life."
Three JSO officers were taken to Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center. Two were treated and released, but Officer D.D. Purcell, injured when Waters rammed his cruiser, remains in Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
All three officers will remain on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated, which is standard practice for the sheriff's office.
Graham said he believes the incident was related to the stabbing near the apartment complex about 10:30 a.m. Sunday. That victim, Daryll Alexander, 33, was stabbed several times and remained hospitalized Monday in critical condition.
Graham said Waters had been living with relatives in Jacksonville for the past couple of months.
Just before 8 a.m. Monday, tow trucks took three heavily damaged police cars from the scene.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crimestoppers at 866-845-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.