In a tragic incident highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, a Texas deputy was killed in the line of duty after exchanging gunfire with a suspect during a traffic stop. The suspect was later apprehended in Louisiana.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. outside of Carthage, Texas, in Panola County. According to Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake, the deputy initiated a traffic stop on an SUV. The driver, later identified as Gregory Newson of Shreveport, Louisiana, “suddenly exited the vehicle and fired a weapon at the deputy.” The deputy returned fire, but Newson fled the scene.
Local residents who heard the gunfire discovered the injured deputy and called for help. The deputy was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The deputy’s name has not been publicly released, but he was an eight-year veteran of the department, according to Panola County Chief Deputy John Depresca. KLSA reports that the fallen officer was shot six times with a semi-automatic rifle.
Newson was captured in Shreveport around 3 a.m. Shreveport Police spokeswoman Christina Curtis told KSLA that Newson was spotted traveling in another vehicle before crashing and rolling it. He was apprehended after a foot chase and with the assistance of a K9 unit.
Sheriff Lake expressed his gratitude for the community’s assistance: “We truly appreciate the assistance of the citizens who came to help the deputy and those who called in valuable information and helped authorities track down this suspect. Our hearts are hurting, and we ask the community to keep all of our deputies and the family of our fallen officer in your thoughts and prayers.”
As of midday Tuesday, Newson was in the Shreveport County Jail awaiting extradition back to Texas. His bond has not yet been set.
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