Fla. deputy shot in traffic stop dies; suspect sought

By Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A north Florida sheriff’s deputy who was recently shot twice during a traffic stop died Sunday afternoon.

Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said via Twitter that Deputy Joshua Moyers, 29, died at a Jacksonville hospital.

"Please keep Josh’s family and fiancé in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this terrible tragedy,” Leeper said.

Meanwhile hundreds of officers were scouring the area trying to find suspect Patrick McDowell, 35, who authorities say shot Moyers in the face and back during a traffic stop early Friday morning in Callahan. They later learned the vehicle was stolen.

The Nassau County Sheriff's Office released photos of McDowell's tattoos on Sunday, including one across his shoulders that reads “Death Before Dishonor.” Authorities also issued a Blue Alert, similar to an Amber Alert, hoping to seek information on McDowell's whereabouts.

Authorities are warning the public not to approach McDowell, saying he is likely armed and dangerous.

Investigators found a flashlight and a hat they think belong to McDowell. They previously found a gun that they believe was used to shoot a police dog during the search on Friday, The Florida Times-Union reported.

The search for McDowell includes 300 investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies in the state, the newspaper said.

Police organizations including the Fraternal Order of Police and the Florida Sheriff’s Association are offering more than $50,000 for information leading to McDowell’s arrest.