Deputy Sheriff Bruce Wayne Evans

Bruce Wayne Evans

Deputy Sheriff Bruce Evans was struck and killed by a vehicle being pursued by other officers on State Route 613, approximately one mile south of the George County line.

He and his partner had set up a roadblock after being notified that the pursuit was about to enter their county. The suspect vehicle came to a stop approximately one and a half miles from the roadblock, and Deputy Evans was notified that the pursuit was over. The officers began to drive to where the pursuit had ended when shots were fired, and the suspects fled again. Deputy Evans stopped on the shoulder, and the officers took cover behind his vehicle.

More shots were fired approximately 200 yards from Deputy Evans' location. The suspect vehicle exited the roadway and collided with the cruiser at 85 mph as Deputy Evans and his partner tried to move out of the way. He was pinned beneath his cruiser as a result of the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect and another occupant of the vehicle sustained minor injuries in the collision and were arrested. The 25-year-old driver was charged with capital murder and aggravated assault on a police officer. He was convicted of the charges and sentenced to life without parole.

Deputy Evans had served with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for four years and had previously served with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Alabama for three years. He is survived by his wife and two young children.