*Man charged with attempted murder of Warren deputy

By M.K. Luther -- mkluther@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- A Fauquier County man faces a charge of attempted capital murder of a police officer in a May 4 incident involving a Warren County Sheriff's Office deputy.

Tony L. Baird, 45, of Warrenton was released from the University of Virginia Medical Center Monday and taken into custody by U.Va. Police, according to a news release from Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron.

Warren County sheriff's deputies responded to a call to attempt to locate a man believed to be suicidal at about 2 a.m. on May 4. Deputies located Baird and his blue GMC pickup at the Chapman Road and U.S. 340 south intersection.

Baird "rammed" his pickup into one deputy's cruiser, according to authorities, and then continued to head toward another cruiser and deputy. That deputy fired on the pickup "in an attempt to stop Baird from running him over," the release states.

Baird was taken to the hospital and treated for a gunshot wound to the arm.

Virginia State Police have charged Baird with attempted capital murder of a police officer, assault and battery of a police officer, eluding police and one count of destruction of property, the release says. Baird remains in the Albemarle County Jail.

The Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Culpeper Field Office conducted the investigation. The results have been turned over to the Warren County commonwealth's attorney for final determination.

The sheriff's office has refused to identify the deputy. However, McEathron said on Wednesday the deputy is on active duty and has not been placed on administrative leave.

"As far as my office is concerned, we are very confident this was justified," McEathron said.

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