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A man pulled over on Highway 98 in Mary Esther November 4th called the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to report a possible police impersonator.
Responding deputies found the citizen had been pulled over by 69-year old Salvatore Gruny of Shalimar. Gruny was in his personal Dodge Charger with flashing blue lights in the front windshield and red, blue, and white lights in the back window.
Gruny told deputies he worked for the Navy Criminal Investigative Service but showed an identifcation for the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI). He said he stopped the vehicle for reckless driving. He had a loaded 9mm on his right hip.
The victim says Gruny had told him he was being stopped for reckless driving and when he askedhim if he was a cop, stated he was with the government and displayed his ONI badge and gun. Gruny is retired.
He is charged with impersonating a federal officer, use of a firearm during a felony, unlawful use of blue lights, unlawful use of a badge and more.
ONI officials say he’s been warned for similar behavior in the past.
Sheriff Eric Aden said impersonation of an officer is a very rare occurrence in Okaloosa County.
“We have unmarked cars and people in plain clothes but typically they’re not pulling cars over. If you get pulled over with an unmarked car with us, it’s still going to be someone typically in uniform. But most of the time people that are going to pull you over in this county, they’re going to have one of the green and white patrol cars with the big blue lights on them and it’s pretty obvious to spot us.”, said Sheriff Aden.
He says if you are pulled over and are not certain you’re dealing with a legitimate law enforcement officer, you can call the OCSO and get an immediate answer from dispatch.
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