Jacksonville police officer struck twice by suspect’s rifle; ‘This was a targeted and intentional attack,’ chief says

JACKSONVILLE, Texas (KLTV) - A Jacksonville police officer was shot twice while trying to take cover in a confrontation with a wanted suspect on Sunday.

The Jacksonville Police Department held a briefing on the second day of a manhunt for the suspect, Bobby Michael Dennis, 64.

The reward for information leading to Dennis’ arrest has been increased to $21,000.

How it happened

Police Chief Steven Markasky said the officer was patrolling the 1100 block of Churchill Street when she saw Dennis, who had outstanding warrants in Cherokee County for obstruction and retaliation, standing outside of his home. According to Chief Markasky, law enforcement has been looking for Dennis since early October.

The officer approached Dennis, calling out to him as “Mr. Dennis” and asked him to come to her when he moved behind his residence. According to Markasky, the officer then saw Dennis holding an AR-15.

Markasky said the officer ran to use her patrol unit for cover when Dennis began firing at her. Several rounds pierced the patrol unit, hitting the officer’s K-9 partner, Renzo.

Markasky said the officer then attempted to run to a nearby residence for more cover when she was struck once in the arm, falling to the ground. The officer got back up and continued to run for cover as Dennis continued firing at her.

“Her bravery and will to survive under gunfire represent the very best of what it means to wear this badge,” Markasky said.

Markasky said the officer reached a wooded area and fell again while attempting to call for help with her radio. Markasky said Dennis continued to fire at the officer and hit her once more, in the leg, while she was on the ground. Markasky said the officer got up again and ran deeper into the woodline before Dennis fled as backup unit arrived.

“It is important to note that at no point during this incident did the officer fire or even draw her weapon,” Markasky said. “Her right arm was incapacitated from a gunshot wound almost immediately. She was in full retreat while under heavy fire. The K-9 was also never deployed from the vehicle.”

According to Markasky, responding personnel quickly located the injured officer, who had already attempted to apply a tourniquet to her arm, and began emergency medical aid. The injured officer was flown to a Tyler hospital where she underwent emergency surgery. She is currently stable and recovering. K-9 Renzo was also taken to an emergency vet clinic in Tyler, where he is still being treated.

‘Targeted, intentional attack’

“Let me be perfectly clear. This is not a misunderstanding. This is a targeted, intentional attack on a uniformed police officer for doing her job,” Markasky said. “Bobby Michael Dennis is a violent criminal who chooses to fire an assault rifle at an officer, who simply called him out by name. His actions are nothing short of evil, and his willingness to endanger an officer, a K-9, and the surrounding neighborhood shows complete disregard for human life.”

JPD spokesperson Corporal Amanda Bragg said that the bodycam video of the officer’s encounter with Dennis and the officer’s name will not be released publicly while the investigation is ongoing

“She deserves the privacy as she heals,” Bragg said. “And allow her not to have to relive the trauma that she’s been exposed to.”

JPD, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office, and many more law enforcement agencies are working together to locate and arrest Dennis.

Gov. Greg Abbott has also announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Dennis. Cherokee County Crimestoppers was offering a $1,000 reward, however, the reward has increased to $11,000 after an anonymous donor added an additional $10,000.

Previous legal issues with suspect

Federal court records confirm Dennis filed a lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville on June 30. The lawsuit was dismissed on Oct. 22 after Dennis did not pay $405 in court filing fees.

In the handwritten complaint, Dennis states municipal and county courts did not have the authority to order him to appear in court.

“I have been kidnapped twice and held against my will for refusing to give consent...placing me in danger and in harm’s way...any government corporate body including police, judges and lawyers must cease immediately,” Dennis wrote.

A magistrate judge made a recommendation on July 31 that the lawsuit be dismissed because Dennis did not pay a filing fee nor file an application that filing fees be waived. Dennis was given 14 days to submit an objection.

On Oct. 22, a federal judge accepted the magistrate judge’s recommendation and dismissed the lawsuit.

Suspect description released

According to a Blue Alert, issued by Texas DPS, Dennis is 5 feet 10 inches tall, 152 pounds, and has a gray 2000 GMC Sierra with license plates TRW3919.

The manhunt for Dennis has caused Jacksonville schools to remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, but the district has now said that they will open school again on Wednesday:

All JISD campuses will reopen on a regular schedule tomorrow, Wednesday, November 5. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority, and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement to ensure a safe and secure learning environment. We look forward to seeing everyone back. Thank you.

If you know where Dennis is, you are asked to share the tip in either of these two ways.

• Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
• Submit a web tip through the Texas 10 Most Wanted website