The Usain Bolt of law enforcement or a mere criminal catcher among slowpokes?
Social media users marveled at a popular video of a Jeffersontown, Ky., cop who quickly made up 30 meters or so on fellow officers to tackle a man suspected of stealing a truck on Friday in Louisville.
A popular GIF of the incident -- which was posted to Reddit with the title "Beast Mode!" (a reference to the nickname of Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch) -- makes the cop look like a cheetah stalking a gazelle. The unedited video (watch above) still makes the sprint look impressive.
"He's pretty swift on his feet," Chief Rick Sanders, of the Jeffersontown Police Department, told The Huffington Post about the officer. "He's just a young aggressive officer that did a good job chasing this guy down."
Some viewers pointed out that the policeman, whom Sanders would not identify by name, got it in gear despite carrying several pounds of gear. One Imgur commenter gave him more Olympian praise, saying, "That cop looks like he could give Usain Bolt a run for his money compared to the other guys." "He must moonlight as a super hero," another commenter wrote.
But, of course, the officer had his doubters, too. "You have to realize the other guys chasing him were probably extremely overweight and moving at a low to moderate jog," one said.
The suspect, Erik Atwell, 45, of Louisville, allegedly stole the semi cab from a nearby farm and led law enforcement on a one-hour chase before he tried to escape on foot, according to reports. Police say he tried to hit a Louisville officer and a Jeffersontown patrol car. He was arrested and taken into custody.