Off-Duty Firefighter Derek J. Rains Impersonates Police Officer, Points Gun at Wanted Man During Traffic Stop

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Yorktown Volunteer Firefighter Charged with Impersonating Police Officer and Pointing Gun at Wanted Man

YORKTOWN, Ind. – A volunteer off-duty firefighter from Yorktown is facing charges after allegedly impersonating a police officer and pointing a gun at a wanted man during a traffic stop that he did not have the authority to conduct.

According to court documents, the incident occurred when the firefighter, identified as Derek J. Rains, pulled over a man and pointed a gun at him, saying, “Don’t move or I’ll f**king shoot you.” The man immediately reported the incident to the police.

Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers quickly determined that the person posing as a police officer was, in fact, an off-duty firefighter. They observed Rains’ personal Chevy pickup truck parked behind the suspect’s car, with emergency white and red lights activated.

The man who was pulled over expressed his distress over Rains pointing a gun at him, and the officer assured him that any misconduct by emergency personnel would be thoroughly investigated. The wanted man was subsequently taken into police custody.

Following the arrest, officers launched an investigation into Rains’ actions. Multiple officers reported that Rains appeared to have acted as a police officer without proper authorization.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Rains claimed that he had noticed the man’s damaged vehicle at a gas station in Yorktown. While communicating with dispatch, Rains was informed that the man was a suspect in a hit-and-run investigation in Madison County.

Rains alleged that after speaking to the man, the suspect fled the scene. He then identified himself as a “special deputy” in Madison County and admitted to pointing his gun at the man when he exited his vehicle.

Investigators subsequently seized Rains’ weapon as evidence pending further examination.

Surveillance video footage revealed that the suspect’s vehicle was smoking while parked at the gas station. Rains was seen pulling up behind the vehicle, and when the man returned to his car, they had a brief interaction before leaving the parking lot. Rains then activated his emergency lights and followed the suspect.

During a subsequent interview, Rains claimed that he was merely trying to assist the driver after noticing significant damage to the car while he was with his wife and adult child. He stated that his intention was to check if the driver needed help and to activate his lights to ensure his own safety.

Rains further justified drawing his weapon by stating that dispatch had advised him that the wanted man might be armed. However, investigators found inconsistencies in Rains’ account when comparing it to the moment he activated his emergency lights, alleging that the suspect nearly collided with other vehicles.

Video evidence did not support Rains’ claims, as stated in the court documents.

When interviewed, the wanted man acknowledged having a warrant for a 2021 case in which he violated parole after pleading guilty to battery resulting in injury to a public safety officer, a Level 5 felony. He stated that when he saw the “red and blue lights” behind him, he immediately assumed it was the police and pulled over. The man complied with officers’ commands but questioned Rains when he was told not to move or risk being shot. He believed Rains was a police officer based on the presence of lights, a radio, and a weapon. He also expressed his belief that Rains acted inappropriately by pointing the gun and issuing commands.

An initial hearing for Derek J. Rains is scheduled for December 11 at 9 a.m.

This incident has raised concerns about the actions of individuals impersonating law enforcement officers and the potential dangers it poses to the public. The investigation will continue to determine the full extent of Rains’ actions and whether any further charges will be filed.

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