A convicted felon was taken to the hospital this afternoon after fighting police during a traffic stop in La Vergne.

An officer initiated a traffic stop with the suspect around 3:30 p.m. at Floyd Mayfield Drive and Patty Cove. The suspect immediately exited the vehicle after pulling over and became combative with officers. After a brief fight the suspect was taken into custody and transported to StoneCrest Hospital to be evaluated. Officers were treated on scene for minor injuries.

In the vehicle officers found an altered weapon and ammunition as well as illegal narcotics including suspected gray heroin*.

The suspect is identified as Ricky Whitlow (36). He has been booked at the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office on possession of weapon by convicted felon, resisting arrest, possession of schedule I, possession of schedule II and possession of schedule VI. Whitlow is a convicted felon in Rutherford, Davidson and Wilson counties on charges including manslaughter, aggravated robbery and theft.

What is *Gray Heroin?

Gray heroin is often a term used to describe heroin that has been laced with synthetic opioids.