A Texas police officer was shot in the head and leg during a traffic stop in Denton on Oct. 29.
Denton Police Department wrote on their Twitter account at almost 4 a.m. on Oct. 29: “Just after midnight this morning, Denton PD was involved in an officer-involved shooting. One officer is currently in critical condition at a local hospital and two persons of interest are detained. Denton PD will be holding a media conference at 3:45 a.m. at 719 E. Hickory St.”
Just after midnight this morning, Denton PD was involved in an officer-involved shooting. One officer is currently in critical condition at a local hospital and two persons of interest are detained. Denton PD will be holding a media conference at 3:45 a.m. at 719 E. Hickory St.
— Denton Police Dept (@DENTONPD) October 29, 2019
The officer who was shot is 40-year-old Urbano Rodriguez Jr. He went through hours-long surgery and was in critical condition on Tuesday night.
Police Chief Frank Dixon said that Rodriguez was making a good recovery and has faith that he will be fine.
“[Rodriguez] has a long path to recovery, but I am keeping every faith in my heart that he will pull through,” said Dixon about the injured 5-year veteran officer, reported Dallas News.
“He exhibited all the qualities we want of our police officers,” Dixon said. “He was calm, he was professional. … But more importantly, he immediately went to rendering aid to our fallen officer.”
Rookie police officer Randy Cole was called in for help and opened fire at the perpetrators as he called for backup.
Cole hit both suspects in the arm who fled from the scene, and after a car chase, were arrested and taken to jail after being medically cleared.
“Stay with me, buddy,” a witness recalled the rookie officer saying. Dixon said that Cole exhibited commendable calmness and composure.
The two suspects are Antwon Donail Pinkston, 33, and Michele Stacey, 44, who were being inspected at the traffic stop for a “vehicle equipment violation,” according to Dixon.
Dixon gave thanks to the people who were praying for Rodriguez, as well as the medical staff and other people who were assisting him.
He wrote on his Twitter account on the morning of Oct. 29: “Thank you for all of the words of prayer and support. Our officer is continuing to fight. Thankful to the medical staff who are giving him excellent care, and the officers, dispatchers, and @DentonFireDept who got him to the hospital and gave him that chance.”
Thank you for all of the words of prayer and support. Our officer is continuing to fight. Thankful to the medical staff who are giving him excellent care, and the officers, dispatchers, and @DentonFireDept who got him to the hospital and gave him that chance.
— Frank Dixon (@Chief_Dixon2746) October 29, 2019
As of late Tuesday, Stacey had no bail set. Pinkston’s bail was set as $5 million.
Pinkston is charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer, and Stacey’s charges will be decided as the investigation develops. She could face the same charges, reported the Denton Record-Chronicle.
It is the first since 1992 since a Denton police officer has been shot while on duty.
“Police officers across the country are targeted like we’re a broken institution,” Dixon said. “That is wrong. We are not broken.”
