Two people went out of their way to help a police officer in an arrest turned almost deadly in Linden, Texas.
Officer Sharon Gillespie attempted to arrest Andrew Gray, but ended up needing some help.
Citizens Save Texas Cop
Two people went out of their way to help a police officer in an arrest turned almost deadly in Linden, Texas.
May 23, 2003
“She told him he was under arrest. When she pulled her handcuffs out, he spun around and grabbed hold of her,” Linden Police Chief Alton McWaters told CBS News.
Patrick Coughlan, a musician and businessman, saw the two wrestling on the ground and witnessed Gray take Gillespie’s gun.
“They wrassled there for a little while and then a man ran up beside them and grabbed it and took it out of his hand,” said McWaters.
But Gray continued to wrestle with Gillespie and Coughlan until a second bystander stepped in to assist. The woman, who requested anonymity, sat on top of the people in the struggle until Officer Gillespie could regain control of her gun and the situation.
“He meant to shoot her—there’s no doubt in my mind. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what would have happened,” McWaters said. “I don’t think it would have turned out very well.”
More Training
Sponsored•October 27, 2025
How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management
Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.
Read More →
When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with a yellow headline that reads When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer Instead of Waiting for EMS?
Read More →
Is Your Duty Holster Duty Rated?
The first – and worst – time I had to fight to keep my gun, my holster and duty belt held up far better than my training did.
Read More →
Sponsored•October 7, 2025
Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations
Join us for an inside look at how agencies are enhancing frontline decision-making with visual intelligence that goes beyond the plate. This session will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses—on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →
Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover
In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.
Read More →
Sponsored•September 1, 2025
Ebook: How Data-Driven Policing Strengthens Transparency and Public Trust
Whether your department is focused on improving transparency or rebuilding community confidence, this ebook offers real examples and practical strategies to help. Learn how data-driven insights and modern fleet technologies can strengthen accountability, support officer safety, and enhance public trust.
Read More →
Using Patrol Vehicles for Cover
While a patrol vehicle offers some cover protection when taking fire, remain mobile and don’t stick to one piece of cover indefinitely. Dustin Mowery, of Team Wendy, shares what he teaches about using vehicles as cover.
Read More →
San Francisco Police Recruit Dies in Training
Recruit Officer Jon-Marques Psalms, 30, reportedly suffered a medical emergency after completing a training exercise on Wednesday August 20, 2025, at the Academy.
Read More →POLICE and Flock Safety Present Webinar on Combining LPR with Real-Time Video
The webinar titled “Beyond the Plate: Real-Time Video Intelligence for Police Operations” will show how pairing LPR data with live camera feeds delivers faster, safer, and more coordinated responses on everything from stolen vehicles to active BOLOs.
Read More →