TX Deputy Shot Serving Warrant
The deputy, who has been with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for about a decade, was taken by air to an Austin hospital for treatment and surgery, Sheriff Casey Goetz says. The deputy was in surgery for nearly four hours and the sheriff said he sustained more damage from the gunshot than first thought.
A Lee County, TX, deputy was shot Tuesday night while serving an arrest warrant at a home in Dime Box. The deputy and a state trooper returned fire and killed the suspect.
The deputy, who has been with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for about a decade, was taken by air to an Austin hospital for treatment and surgery, Sheriff Casey Goetz told KXAN. The deputy was in surgery for nearly four hours and the sheriff said he sustained more damage from the gunshot than first thought.
About 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Lee County Sheriff's Office received information that a suspect they were looking for was at a residence in Dime Box. Deputies had information that he may have been trying to go to Mexico. There was a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear on sexual assault of a child and he had a prior arrest for murder, according to the sheriff. His prior convictions include aggravated assault of a child in 1975, second-degree rape in 1976, and first-degree murder in 1981.
The deputy and a state trooper spotted the wanted man, Raul Vega Perez, and gave chase into the residence. At that time Perez opened fire on the deputy and trooper, wounding the deputy.
The deputy and trooper returned fire and exited out of the house, says Goetz. Perez was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. today. The Texas Rangers are currently investigating the case.
More Patrol

Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees
Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.
Read More →
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?
Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?
Read More →
Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty
What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.
Read More →
5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use
What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.
Read More →
363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week
In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.
Read More →
NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month
Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.
Read More →
National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today
A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police
The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.
Read More →
Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.
Read More →
