CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) – The suspect in the shooting of a Jacksonville police officer is in custody Wednesday night.
Bobby Michael Dennis, 64, was taken into custody by SWAT in the Cuney area.
According to Jacksonville Police Chief Steven Markasky, at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night, multiple law enforcement agencies assisted Jacksonville PD in serving a search warrant at a property on CR 3509, west of the Jacksonville city limits, for the apprehension of Bobby Michael Dennis.
Dennis was immediately located hiding out in a wooded area and surrendered himself to law enforcement. Dennis was handcuffed with the injured officer’s handcuffs without incident and taken to the Cherokee County Jail.
Bobby Michael Dennis, 64, was taken into custody by SWAT in the Cuney area.(Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office)
Dennis is charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer, interference with police service animal, and two counts of obstruction or retaliation.
Background: Officer, K9 injured in shooting
Police Chief Steven Markasky said the officer was patrolling the 1100 block of Churchill Street when she saw Dennis, who had outstanding warrants in Cherokee County for obstruction and retaliation, standing outside of his home. According to Chief Markasky, law enforcement has been looking for Dennis since early October.
The officer approached Dennis, calling out to him as “Mr. Dennis” and asked him to come to her when he moved behind his residence. According to Markasky, the officer then saw Dennis holding an AR-15.
Markasky said the officer ran to use her patrol unit for cover when Dennis began firing at her. Several rounds pierced the patrol unit, hitting the officer’s K-9 partner, Renzo.
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Markasky said the officer then attempted to run to a nearby residence for more cover when she was struck once in the arm, falling to the ground. The officer got back up and continued to run for cover as Dennis continued firing at her.
“Her bravery and will to survive under gunfire represent the very best of what it means to wear this badge,” Markasky said.
Markasky said the officer reached a wooded area and fell again while attempting to call for help with her radio. Markasky said Dennis continued to fire at the officer and hit her once more, in the leg, while she was on the ground. Markasky said the officer got up again and ran deeper into the woodline before Dennis fled as backup unit arrived.
4-day manhunt for Jacksonville officer’s suspected shooter ends with arrest
“It is important to note that at no point during this incident did the officer fire or even draw her weapon,” Markasky said. “Her right arm was incapacitated from a gunshot wound almost immediately. She was in full retreat while under heavy fire. The K-9 was also never deployed from the vehicle.”
According to Markasky, responding personnel quickly located the injured officer, who had already attempted to apply a tourniquet to her arm, and began emergency medical aid. The injured officer was flown to a Tyler hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. She is currently stable and recovering. K-9 Renzo was also taken to an emergency vet clinic in Tyler, where he is still being treated.
Gov. Greg Abbott has announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Dennis in the shooting of the Jacksonville police officer. That announcement was made by the Jacksonville Police Department shortly before 2 p.m. Monday. He was also added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted fugitives list.
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