The officer was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. On Friday morning, the Fountain Police Department provided an update that the officer was in stable but critical condition following the initial CT scans.
Wesley Ruiz, who was in 2008 convicted in the death of Senior Cpl. Mark Nix, died by lethal injection after the U.S. Supreme Court earlier in the day denied his appeal.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says the incident began around 9 a.m., the Clark County Sheriff’s Office tried to stop a vehicle driven by a wanted suspect, but the driver fled.
"I just can't put my arms around why (the officer) was driving at that rate of speed in pursuit of this vehicle. This officer is facing some serious issues,” says District Attorney Tony Clayton.
“It's a nationwide epidemic in law enforcement, cops at the end of pursuits or situations running up to vehicles. It's the worst thing we could be doing. It's getting people killed,” says Mike Willis. “This has got to stop. This mindset has got to stop. Let's stay back behind cover and do it safer.”
Vehicle pursuits are inherently hazardous and often involve all manner of mayhem, including property damage and personal injury to fleeing violators, innocent victims, and pursuing police. Here are some keys to help mitigate the risks.
“While deputies continued to pursue the suspect on foot, we rendered aid to the injured deputy by applying a tourniquet above the wound to prevent further loss of blood," says Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan.
The suspect drove toward Wells as he was stationary in the roadway and the officer fired one round at the suspect’s vehicle, but the suspect was not struck. The suspect’s vehicle struck both Wells and his motorcycle, police say
The first deputy to arrive at the firebombing of the house says he saw Luke Neely, 30, throw one of seven Molotov cocktails. He says two exploded on the house and the others rolled down and ignited the yard.
During the pursuit, Tsai lost control of his squad car causing it to strike a light pole. He was transported by Grand Prairie Fire Department medics to Methodist Dallas Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries, police say.
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