11-year-veteran, Captain Michael Braddock was driving on First Coast Highway in Nassau County Friday night. Chief Hank Martinez with the Nassau County Sheriff's Office tells our news partner Channel 4 the victim, Ralph Stangle, was trying to pass Braddock in a no passing zone.

Police say when he found a passing area he supposedly pulled along side Braddock and blew his horn. Braddock then gave him the finger.

Noticing stickers on his truck, identifying Braddock as a firefighter, Stangle pulled into a fire station hoping to file a report.

That's when Braddock is accused of getting out of his vehicle, punching Stangle in the face, pulling him out of his truck, and cursing him out.

Braddock told police he was defending himself.  He's bonded out of jail, and is charged with battery.