Concerning the words spoken to the deputy and landowner.....
How do you think this situation would have turned out if the floaters simply did not speak or respond to them at all? They aren't required to ya know.
My guess is that if the floaters ignored them as if they were deaf, the deputy would have really made a serious mistake that would have ended his career.
So, while the "smartass comment" might rub a few of you the wrong way, it should have indicated to the deputy(a person somewhat trained in human reaction) that this person truly believes that he is in the right....and is being wrongfully harrassed.
But no, the deputy was not paying attention, plus he allowed the landowner to threaten someone....He was not doing his job properly at all. And it IS a potentially serious job to have. Me thinks he should stick to being a security guard at a warehouse somewhere and leave upholding the law to those properly trained to do it.