Law enforcement officials in Florida issued a ‘Blue Alert’ at around 11:30 PM Tuesday night, sending a text notification to cellular subscribers about a wanted criminal from the Big Bend area of the state.
The Florida Blue Alert was canceled by FDLE just after 9:30 a.m. Wednesday when authorities said the suspect was “no longer at large.”
The alert had been issued late Tuesday night after an officer-involved incident in Taylor County.
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A Florida Blue Alert has been issued for Georgy Ryan Miedema, last seen in Perry, Florida. If located, DO NOT APPROACH. If you have any information on the whereabouts of this person, please contact the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office at 850-584-2429 or 911. pic.twitter.com/PIu0n78JwY— FDLE (@fdlepio) February 23, 2022
Much like the Amber Alert system, which is activated by police when a child is reported missing, a Blue Alert is issued when a member of law enforcement is injured or killed and the suspect or suspects is on the run.
Alert notifications then go to cell devices and ‘smart signs’ along major highways throughout Florida.
The system, which was signed into law in 2011 by then Gov. Rick Scott, has been activated less than 10 times since its creation.
The latest alert was sent by police officials in Taylor County who accuse Gregory Ryan Miedema, a registered sex offender, of shooting a deputy sheriff multiple times near the town of Perry.
Miedema is 33 years old and was last seen driving a 2000 gold Chrysler Sebring with Florida tag YZ8 TKU.
He is considered armed and extremely dangerous and should not be approached if spotted.
The deputy wounded in the shooting remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.