JACKSONVILLE, Texas — A quiet Sunday afternoon turned into a terrifying ordeal in Jacksonville after a police officer was shot around 4:41 p.m. during a confrontation with a suspect, according to the Jacksonville Police Department. The injured officer was airlifted to a hospital in Tyler, where he remains in stable condition.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 64-year-old Bobby Michael Dennis, described as a Black male, approximately 5′9″ tall and 152 pounds, last seen wearing all-black clothing. Officials say Dennis is armed with a rifle and remains on the run, prompting a massive statewide manhunt and a Texas Blue Alert issued Sunday evening around 8:19 p.m.
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Investigators believe Dennis may be driving a gray 2012 GMC Sierra with Texas plates TRW3919. Law enforcement agencies across the region—including the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Game Wardens, and Tyler Police Department—have joined the effort to locate him.
Residents in the vicinity of Churchill Street and Benson Memorial were urged to lock their doors, stay indoors, and report any suspicious activity immediately. The area remains under heavy police patrol as tactical teams and K-9 units continue their search.
During the chaotic exchange, a police K-9 was also injured and transported to a veterinary hospital in Tyler, where it has been reported to be in stable condition.
One neighbor, visibly shaken, told reporters, “It was shocking… I’ve never known Mr. Dennis to be violent. He’s lived around here for years. None of us expected this.”
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear as authorities focus on safely capturing the suspect. Officials are reminding the public that Dennis should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached under any circumstances.
For now, the Jacksonville community remains tense but united in hope for a peaceful resolution and a full recovery for the injured officer.