Dec 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 12

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY Off-duty Tarrant County Sheriff’s Deputy Brent Brown shot in East Fort Worth. TARRANT COUNTY, TX. - Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office deputy Brent Brown was shot Monday while working off-duty as a security guard at the Fort Worth Community Credit Union on Brentwood Stair Road. “It hits close to home when an officer is violently injured like this, so we ask for prayers from the public,” said Fort Worth Police Chief Neil Noakes. The shooting happened Nov. 27 just before 4 p.m. and within minutes of officers arriving, they found the glass of the front door of the business shattered by bullets. MedStar emergency response workers also arrived, and discovered Brown suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower 58 The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue abdomen and another in his upper chest. They took him to JPS hospital, where he underwent surgery. Police later told CBS News Texas that Brown is expected to make a full recovery. Fort Worth police confirmed that Leland Williams, 35, was arrested in connection to the shooting. He was booked into the Tarrant County Jail on a capital murder charge. A man whose wife is a teller at the credit union told CBS News Texas reporter Jason Allen that she witnessed the shooting. “Brent stood his ground, did his duty, and the nobility of what he did today is what law enforcement expects out of all of our officers. But he did it well, and he rose to the nobility with courage and distinction,” shared Sheriff Bill Waybourn. “Evil walks boldly among us and we must not forget that.” While Brown’s brothers in blue showed their support at the hospital Monday night, others took to social media to express their thoughts about the shooting. Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare took to X, stating: “Please join me in praying for one of our Tarrant County Sheriff’s Deputies. He was shot twice today while working security off-duty. He is currently in surgery.” Brown has served with the sheriff’s office since 2011. He’s currently assigned to the warrant division. Williams’ bond is currently set at million.

AROUND THE COUNTRY ACROSS THE US The Latest Breaking News as we go LIVE. HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY INJURED IN ROLLOVER CRASH AFTER PATROL VEHICLE STRUCK BY SUV HOUSTON – A Harris County Precinct 2 Constable’s Office deputy was injured after his patrol vehicle was involved in a rollover crash while conducting a traffic stop in southeast Houston on Sunday, according to the Houston Police Department. HPD officers were called to the 11200 block of Beamer Road around 2:15 a.m. to respond to the crash. A deputy had been trying to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle, then an SUV struck the patrol vehicle and caused it to rollover. The deputy was trapped in his vehicle and had to be rescued by Houston firefighters. He suffered neck and back injuries and possibly broke some bones. He was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition. The other driver was checked out by paramedics and expected to be OK. Police did not say if the driver was intoxicated. The names of those involved were not released. This crash is still under investigation. HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER SHOT SEVERAL TIMES IN AM- BUSH; SUSPECT DIES AFTER SHOOTOUT WITH POLICE HOUSTON – A Houston police officer was shot at least three times while searching for a burglary suspect, and the suspect died after the officer fired back in southwest Houston on Saturday, according to the Houston Police Department. The officer was taken to the hospital and expected to be OK. Officers responded just after 1 a.m. to the Harwin Drive and Parkersburg Drive. Three officers had found a man in his 20s, who was accused of committing burglaries and an aggravated assault/robbery, in his silver Honda. The suspect then drove to a Diamond Inn with a woman, and they began walking in the area. Police followed them in their vehicle to a shopping strip center on Harwin Drive. Then, law enforcement officers said the suspect ambushed an officer and shot at him through the passenger window of the patrol vehicle. The officer of 17 years was shot several times. He returned fire and struck the suspect multiple times. The suspect ran away from the scene and was found a short time later around the corner of a building. Officers and emergen- The Blues 40th Anniversary Issue 59