The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) - An Aberdeen, Miss. police officer is recovering from a gunshot wound he sustained Saturday after diving in front of a suspect who had taken his gun and pointed it at a police dispatcher, authorities said.
According to police officials, James Johnson, a five-year veteran of the force, was attempting to book Jeremy Davis on a driving under the influence charge when Johnson and Davis began to scuffle.
Davis allegedly grabbed the officer’s gun and aimed it at a dispatcher, authorities said.
Johnson dove in front of the gun and was shot in the shoulder - the bullet missing the bulletproof vest he was wearing. The bullet lodged near Johnson’s spine and while officials said he likely would survive the shooting, they were not sure Saturday night about possible neurological damage related to the location of the bullet.
The officer was transported to a nearby hospital and admitted to the critical care unit.
After the shooting, law enforcement officials cordoned off a wide area and later caught Davis who was running through the parking lot of a nearby motel.
Police recovered the officer’s weapon from one of Davis’ associates, to whom Davis had allegedly given the weapon after fleeing the jail.
Authorities believe Davis is a recent parolee from the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.