NewsLocal NewsIn Your NeighborhoodBrazos County

Actions

Burleson County Chief Deputy shot in the face during standoff, suspect deceased

Burleson County Chief Deputy John Pollock
Burleson CSO.JPG
Posted at 7:57 PM, Aug 17, 2021
and last updated 2021-08-23 17:26:32-04

BURLESON COUNTY, Texas — More information is now available in Tuesday's standoff situation near the grounds for the Chilifest Music Festival site.

Burleson County Chief Deputy John Pollock was shot in the jaw/chin area while attempting to serve a warrant around 7 p.m on Tuesday, ensuing the multi-agency standoff, at a residence in the 400 block of FM 60 in Caldwell, which lasted until early Wednesday morning.

According to officials, at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday the suspect exited his home and fired at a Texas DPS Trooper and injured them with a gunshot wound to the arm; law enforcement initially believed the suspect was surrendering.

Law enforcement returned fire, striking the suspect.

The suspect, 41-year old James Matalice Smith of Somerville, was treated by the Burleson County Emergency Medical Services for life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead at the scene by a Burleson County judge.

"We're asking for prayers," Sheriff Gene Hermes said about his chief deputy's condition.

Pollock has been transferred to CHI-St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

A Texas Highway Patrol Trooper, Joshua Strawn, was also injured in the shooting. Both Strawn and Pollock have been released from the hospital, and are recovering from their injuries.

Strawn was a member of the Texas Department of Public Safety for 16 years and is a trooper stationed at the Freeport office.

The Burleson County Sheriff's Office is currently was assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Bryan and College Station Police Departments, the Brazos County Constable's Office, and the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the public are still asked to avoid the area on Highway 60 east of Somerville and west of Snook.

Snook ISD has since released a statement saying "Snook ISD will have school as scheduled today. However, due to the road closure on Hwy 60, there will not be a bus service to Centerline. The bus will be detoured at FM 3058. "

This incident remains an active criminal investigation.

“LIKE” 25 NEWS KRHD ON FACEBOOK FOR ALL THE LATEST BRAZOS VALLEY STORIES”