Charges have been dropped against a former Jacksonville “Firefighter of the Year” who was arrested and accused of sexual battery in 2022. The trial for Vincent Harper was set to begin on Monday.

A former Jacksonville “Firefighter of the Year” was arrested Sunday and accused of sexual battery.

Latorrence Norris spoke with News4Jax, saying they were dangerously close to losing their lives at the hands of someone they were trying to help. The JFRD partners were taking a patient to a hospital, when they said the man began attacking them with a box cutter. RELATED: I would be dead right now: Firefighters stabbed in ambulance recall attack, supportHarper was driving the ambulance when he saw and heard the struggle, stopped the ambulance and stepped in to help. If his partner hadnt hopped in, I would be dead right now, Norris said. Theres not a doubt in my mind.Its the second year in a row a JFRD member has been named the American Legion Firefighter of the Year.