The Ellis County Press: Deputy shoots attacker; Self defense cited

Deputy shoots attacker; Self defense cited
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Editor on 07/15/2010 11:28:00


MEGAN GRAY
The Ellis County Press
BRISTOL - An Ellis County Sheriff Deputy was threatened with his life Monday
evening.
At approximately 7:26 p.m. Monday, July 12, the ECSO was called about a
disturbance on Slate Rock Road.
Before arrival, the patrol deputy was dispatched about one of the suspects
leaving the scene.
The suspect, described to be a male in his 50s, was pulled over driving a silver
BMW on the 9000 block of FM 660 for a routine traffic stop when the suspect then
removed himself from the vehicle and lunged a long bladed knife at the deputy.
The deputy, according to Lt. James Saulter, then pulled out his gun for self
defense and shot one single bullet into his abdomen area.
"My deputy was ‘shooken up' but he is okay," said Saulter.
The suspect was airlifted to a Dallas area hospital and is reported to be on his
way to recovery and released in the next two -three days.
"He can't be arraigned until he is released from the hospital and back in our
county, then his name can be released," said Saulter.
The name of the officer isn't being released at this time due to safety
concerns.
According to Saulter during a press conference held at the Ellis County Sheriff
Office late Monday night, it's routine to have the deputy of any traumatic event
on administrative leave until he/she is ok or the help he/she needs is given.