Lawrenceburg Now

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Deputy Byron Shelton recuperating following Tuesday Shooting

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Byron Shelton is recuperating in a Nashville hospital in the wake of a shooting incident Tuesday evening that left him injured; his assailant dead.

Chief Deputy Terry Beecham said late Tuesday that units were dispatched to a home at 428 Dogwood Lane in Leoma around 6:30 p.m. to “a possible domestic situation in progress.” Shelton, he said, was the first on the scene. “The situation apparently worsened as he arrived on the scene,” Beecham said, “And unfortunately he was forced to enter the home without backup.”

Shelton’s assailant, forty-two-year-old Whit McCormack, was killed at the scene. Officials have not yet released any details concerning his manner of death. The female victim inside the home, McCormack’s estranged wife Jerri, was reportedly uninjured when shots were exchanged.

Shelton was airlifted from the area of Story and Lee Furniture on U.S. Highway 43 South, to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Shelton sustained two gunshot wounds; one to the upper leg and one to the abdomen. While the leg wound posed no grave danger the stomach round damaged Shelton’s bowel. He underwent surgery Tuesday night to repair damages. “He came through surgery fine and is expected to make a full recovery,” Beecham stated.

Beecham explained that the round to Shelton’s stomach was slowed by his ammunition belt. “The round actually pushed a spring against his femoral artery, but it wasn’t severed. The belt probably helped slow that round …The hand of God was on him, that’s for sure.”

Beecham said video from Shelton’s patrol car was reviewed, but that it showed no portion of the gun battle. He said the video showed only Shelton exiting his vehicle, talking on his cell phone, entering the home, then later exiting the home. Once shot, Shelton actually returned to his vehicle and notified Lawrence Central Dispatch that he had been shot.

A Corporal with the department, Shelton entered into law enforcement in 1994 and is a long-time employee of the sheriff’s department. Shelton also serves as City Manager for the City of Ethridge. “He’s an exemplary employee,” Beecham commented.

According to Beecham the McCormacks had been separated for around eight months when the incident occurred. Whit McCormack reportedly broke into his wife’s home Tuesday evening, and made threats to kill her. Local law enforcement officials had not been called to the home in the past. Beecham said there was no local history of domestic violence involving the couple, and that White McCormack had no local criminal history.

Of Shelton’s heroism Beecham commented, “He never took his eyes off that house…He did everything he was supposed to do; he fell right back on his police training…He saved this lady’s life. Had he not reacted when he reacted, there’s no telling what would have happened…”

Beecham emphasized, “I think we definitely have a hero on our hands.”

Beecham said all area law enforcement agencies were quick to make their way to the scene to offer whatever assistance they could with the matter. “We’re a small rural community here and we work together,” he pointed out. “I just can’t say enough good things about them or thank them enough….Within the department we’re like a family…It’s like something happening to your brother…and we appreciate everything everyone did to help Byron.”

As is required when there is an officer-involved shooting, investigation by the sheriff’s department was relinquished to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Tuesday night. TBI agents concluded their investigation at the scene overnight, then allowed Jerri McCormack to return to her home.

Investigation into the shooting is currently continuing through TBI and the District Attorney’s Office.

 

Tell a friend about this page!
Their Name:
Their Email:
Your Name:
Your Email:

Free JavaScripts provided
by The JavaScript Source

.


10% Off Deep Chocolate Sale