April 29, 2008

Vest saves Tenn. officer during gunbattle

By Ben Benton
The Chattanooga Times Free Press

SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — A South Pittsburg police officer was shot at least twice Saturday before another officer returned fire and hit the shooter in the torso, authorities said.

Twelfth Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor said South Pittsburg Officer Jeff Stevens is recovering at home from bullet wounds to his leg and arm.

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He said the shooting happened early Saturday after Officer Stevens investigated a disturbance involving Courtney Gaines near the town fire hall. Shortly after the disturbance, Mr. Stevens started chasing Mr. Gaines on foot toward Elm and Third streets, where the man turned and fired several shots, he said.

"Officer Stevens went down and (Sgt. Harrison "Junior") Lehr came up as this was happening," Mr. Taylor said. "Junior Lehr fired one time, striking Mr. Gaines. Stevens didn't get any shots off before he got hit."

Two shots struck Mr. Stevens' bulletproof vest but didn't penetrate, Mr. Taylor said. Sgt. Lehr also had minor injuries, he said.

Mr. Gaines underwent surgery for the gunshot, Mr. Taylor said, and Erlanger hospital officials told investigators it could be several days before he is released.

Charges are pending against Mr. Gaines, Mr. Taylor said. There was no indication of wrongdoing by the officers, he said.

South Pittsburg Police Chief Mark Garner on Monday said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation. Chief Garner said he couldn't discuss the incident until he's given clearance by the state agency.

TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm said results of the probe will be forwarded to Mr. Taylor's office.

Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said the incident is a wake-up call for officers everywhere.

"He would've been seriously hurt if it hadn't been for the vest," Sheriff Burnett said.

Not all of Marion County's deputies have body armor, but "I'm going to expedite that as soon as I can," the sheriff said. "It kind of opens your eyes when you see something like this happen."

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