Civilians assist with MV accident resulting in OUI

PRESS RELEASE

On Saturday June 3^,2023 at approximately 5pm Marshfield Officers were dispatched to the area of Ferry St. and Clay Pit Road for the report of a motor vehicle accident. One of the vehicles involved fled the scene of the accident and passed one of the responding officers. The responding officer pursued this vehicle in the area of Furnace St. and the vehicle did not stop for the officer. The vehicle accelerated and swerved in front of another vehicle while changing lanes. The vehicle with heavy damage from the accident then turned right into a business parking lot on Plain St. and stopped. The officer exited their cruiser to check on the operator of the vehicle and the operator of the vehicle, later identified as James Michael Shields (DOB 6/7/85 of 31 Blueberry Road Marshfield Ma.) started to walk away from the officer ignoring commands to stop. The operator then put his right hand into his sweatshirt while swearing at the officer. At this point the officer made an attempt to gain control of him.The suspect then began actively pulling away from the officer.

Three Good Samaritans in the area assisted the officer on scene allowing the officer to gain control of the suspect and place him in handcuffs after an extended struggle. Shields continued to fight with the officer and 3 civilians who bravely put their own safety aside to assist the officer. Shields continued to scream, yell, kick and spit at other responding officers as they arrived on scene while a large crowd from the local businesses witnessed this. Shields continued to spit (containing blood) and kick officers as they placed him in the cruiser. He continued to swear at the responding officers throughout this event as well. He also threatened to physically harm every officer on scene and at the booking process including threatening one officer and his family and threatening to kill the initial responding officer as well as the officer who transported him to the station.

Shields is being charged with the following:

OUI Liquor 2^nd Offense

Leaving the Scene Property Damage

Reckless Operation

Negligent Operation

Failure to Stop

Unsafe Operation of a motor vehicle

Speeding

Failure to signal

No Inspection Sticker

Failure to stop red light

Unsafe Lane Change

Marked Lanes

Resisting Arrest

A&B on Police Officer (5 Counts)

A&B Dangerous Weapon (3 Counts)

Intimidation Police Officer

Malicious and Wanton Damage to Property (2 Counts)

Threat to commit a crime (5 counts)

Disorderly Conduct

Disturbing the Peace

Shields Bail was set at $10,000 on Saturday evening. After being arraigned this morning on these charges his bail was set at $1500.

We are grateful beyond words to the three civilians who took it upon themselves with no regard for their own safety to assist the initial responding officer during this dangerous encounter. Thank you.

Authority Chief Tavares