Texas police officer gunned down by wanted fugitive in violent arrest attempt: officials

A Texas constabulary serviceman was changeable and killed successful the enactment of work portion trying to apprehend a wanted fugitive, according to authorities. 

Copperas Cove Police Officer Elijah Garretson, a 27-year-old New Hampshire native, was fatally wounded portion attempting to apprehension a fugitive who was wanted for engaging successful organized transgression enactment and failing to look successful tribunal connected Jan. 10, Texas State Sen. Pete Flores, whose territory includes Copperas Cove, said successful a Facebook post. 

According to Flores, Garretson and 2 different officers got into a scuffle with the suspect, identified arsenic 26-year-old Jamison Cavazos, arsenic they tried to apprehend him. 

Officials said Cavazos past changeable Garretson during the attempted apprehension and fled the scene, wherever helium aboriginal died from a self-inflicted gunshot coiled arsenic officers closed successful connected his 2nd determination pursuing a lengthy dialog attempt. Authorities recovered 2 pistols successful his possession, Flores said.

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Officer Elijah Garretson was gunned down successful the enactment of work portion attempting to apprehension a fugitive who was wanted for engaging successful organized transgression enactment and failing to look successful tribunal connected Jan. 10. (The Copperas Cove Police Department)

Garretson was subsequently transported to a hospital, wherever helium aboriginal died from his injuries. 

"This serviceman placed his beingness successful harm's mode trying to support nationalist information and paid the eventual price," Flores, president of the Texas Senate Committee connected Criminal Justice, said. "This nonaccomplishment is simply a tragic reminder of the courageous sacrifice that our instrumentality enforcement officers look each day."

The Texas Rangers are conducting an probe into Garretson’s death.

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The assemblage of fallen constabulary serviceman Elijah Garretson is escorted to the Crawford Bowers Funeral Home successful Killeen, Texas connected Jan. 13, 2026. (FOX 7)

Garretson grew up successful New Hampshire and aboriginal joined the U.S. Army, wherever helium was stationed successful Fort Hood and roseate to the fertile of Sergeant earlier leaving successful June 2024, FOX 7 reported.

Following his departure from the Army, Garretson entered the constabulary academy and graduated arsenic the Academic Honor Graduate of his people successful June 2025. He was besides celebrated for helping to prevention a chap cadet’s beingness erstwhile they experienced cardiac arrest, according to FOX 7.

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Mourners be the ceremonial of fallen constabulary serviceman Elijah Garretson astatine the Crawford Bowers Funeral Home successful Killeen, Texas, connected Jan. 13, 2026.  (FOX 7)

He reportedly leaves down a woman and 5-year-old daughter. 

The Copperas Cove Police Department did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital's petition for comment. 

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"During this hard time, our thoughts are with his loved ones, colleagues astatine the Copperas Cove Police Department, and each those affected by this tragedy," the New Hampshire State Police said successful a Facebook post. "He volition ne'er beryllium forgotten."