Trooper Shot During Highway Stop; Suspect Flees After Gunfire Exchange in Breckenridge County

Breckenridge County, Caldrin — What began as a routine traffic detail on a quiet stretch of highway escalated into a violent confrontation Thursday afternoon, leaving a state trooper seriously injured and a suspect on the run.

According to preliminary reports, a Caldrin State Police trooper was conducting stationary radar enforcement along a lightly traveled rural highway just outside the county line when a white pickup truck passed at a high rate of speed. The trooper initiated pursuit and conducted a traffic stop without incident.

Authorities say the situation quickly changed after the trooper ran the vehicle’s license plate through dispatch. The return indicated the registered owner had an active felony warrant. The trooper then requested the driver step out of the vehicle.

Officials report that the driver initially complied, exiting the truck as instructed. However, within moments, the encounter turned violent. The suspect allegedly produced a handgun and fired at least one shot toward the trooper. The trooper returned fire, discharging two rounds, and immediately radioed for emergency assistance.

As the situation unfolded, gunfire continued intermittently. A deputy with the Breckenridge County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene shortly after the initial call. By the time the deputy reached the location, shots were still being exchanged.

During the confrontation, the trooper was struck once in the chest. The deputy broadcast an urgent update over the radio while moving to assess the trooper’s condition. Amid the chaos, the suspect fled the scene, abandoning the immediate area before additional units could establish a perimeter.