VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Sheriff Mike Chitwood is back to work after recovering from coronavirus.

"Can’t eat, can’t sleep, but I got the all clear to go back to work, so I am raring to go,”​ Chitwood said.

He announced on July 31 that he tested positive for coronavirus and was showing mild symptoms. Tuesday morning he was right back into the thick of it, with intense negotiations outside AdventHealth DeLand.

“I was just finishing up my morning bike ride. I didn’t even get a change to take a shower. I threw clothes on and came right out,” Chitwood said.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call about a suicidal man that was armed and driving around Deland. They identified the man as former Deland police officer and 21-year military veteran Theodore Melton.

Sheriff Chitwood explained they were familiar with him, as he was in a similar situation a few years ago. The sheriff said that Melton shared he was tired of being tired and suffering from PTSD from serving in Iraq.

While investigators said Melton threw several hand guns out of his vehicle, he refused to get out as he threatened to kill himself. Chitwood walked up to his car and offered him a reassuring hand shake.

“COVID-19 was not even on our minds. You know, our whole thoughts were get this guy out safely,” Chitwood said.

Despite still not feeling back to 100%, Chitwood's risks paid off in the end. Volusia deputies and DeLand Police were able to diffuse the situation and get the man into the hospital, where he was Baker Acted.

Chitwood hopes Melton can now get the support he needs.

“The priority was that he didn’t kill himself or kill anybody else or hurt anybody else,” Chitwood said. “It's what we do for a living.”