A police officer was fatally “ambushed” throughout a shootout with a fleeing suspect in Greenville, Texas, on Monday, in accordance with native regulation enforcement.
Officer Cooper Dawson, of the Greenville Police Division, was struck in his aspect and leg through the incident, which came about in a wooded space behind properties on Picket Avenue at 7:40 p.m., Greenville police mentioned in an announcement Tuesday morning.
The world is about 50 miles northeast of Downtown Dallas.
The lethal incident unfolded after Dawson initiated a visitors cease of the suspect and his car close to the 3500 block of Picket Avenue.
At the moment the assailant ran off, and Dawson pursued the suspect on foot, police mentioned.
Dawson chased the suspect right into a wooded space behind a house at 3517 Pickett Avenue, the place the assailant “ambushed” him and shot him a number of instances.
“Despite his critical injuries, Officer Dawson displayed exceptional courage, returning fire, and striking the suspect,” Greenville police mentioned in an announcement.
Each Dawson and the suspect had been transported to Hunt County Regional Hospital, per KLTV.
Dawson was later airlifted to Medical Metropolis Plano, the place he succumbed to his accidents.
The situation of the suspect, who has but to be named, has not been launched.
Fox 4 Information video from the scene final night time exhibits a number of police autos in entrance of the home together with a white sedan parked exterior.
It’s unclear if the sedan was related to the visitors cease. The scene is cordoned off with yellow police tape.
The Greenville Police Division mentioned that Dawson was a extremely revered member of the power and had beforehand served with the Garland Police Division.
“His dedication to public service and his unwavering commitment to protecting the Greenville community will never be forgotten,” the assertion reads.
“We are heartbroken over the loss of Officer Cooper Dawson, who selflessly put his life on the line to serve and protect our community,” Greenville Police Chief Chris Smith added, per the discharge. “We ask that you keep Officer Dawson’s family, our department, and the Greenville community in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”
Dawson is the primary Greenville Police Division officer in additional than 100 years to die within the line of responsibility, the discharge mentioned.
Police mentioned that the Texas Division of Public Security’s Texas Rangers might be conducting the investigation as a third-party investigatory company.
Additional particulars concerning memorial providers and methods to help Officer Dawson’s household might be introduced within the coming days, the discharge states.
A squad automobile is being displayed in entrance of the police precinct station in Dawson’s honor.
