A tense late-afternoon shift turned tragic Sunday in the town of Jacksonville, Texas, when a member of the Jacksonville Police Department was shot around 4:41 p.m. during a confrontation with a suspect. The officer was quickly airlifted to a hospital in Tyler and is now reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 64-year-old Bobby Michael Dennis. He is described as a black male, about 5′9″ tall and 152 pounds, last seen wearing all black clothing. He is believed to be armed with a rifle and remains at large, prompting a full-scale manhunt.
The suspect’s vehicle has also been flagged: a gray 2012 GMC Sierra with Texas plates reading TRW3919. The gear-up and vehicle information triggered a Blue Alert issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety at about 8:19 p.m.
Law enforcement agencies across the region have flooded into the area—the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Game Wardens, the Jacksonville Police and Fire Departments, and even the Tyler Police Department assisting with blocking intersections and crowd control. Community alerts have been issued for residents in the neighborhoods around the 1100 block of Churchill Street and Benson Memorial, advising everyone to lock doors, stay inside, and remain on high alert.
One bystander described the shock in the quiet neighborhood when they realized what was unfolding. “It was very shocking because … I’ve never known Mr. Dennis to be a violent person,” a neighbor said, adding that Dennis lives in the very area where police say the incident began. Meanwhile, a K-9 unit involved in the shootout was also injured and transported to a veterinary emergency facility near Tyler—officially stable but a reminder of how things escalated.
Residents remain on edge as officers continue combing the streets for any sign of Dennis. With a suspect considered “armed and dangerous,” police are urging anyone who spots the vehicle or the suspect to call 911 immediately—do not approach. Updates are expected as the search tightens.
For now, the community waits. An officer wounded in the line of duty, a suspect still free, and a neighborhood asked to shut down and stay alert. The hope is for a swift resolution and to bring the officer home safely.