Van Zandt County deputy killed, Canton officer injured in shootout
Van Zandt County mourns deputy killed in shootout
Residents of Van Zandt County are mourning the loss of Deputy Adam Sherifi, who was killed after a shootout with an unknown suspect. Another officer was injured. FOX 4's Amelia Jones has more.
CANTON, Texas - A suspect shot and killed a Van Zandt County Sheriff’s deputy and injured a Canton police officer Tuesday night.
The suspect is also dead.
Van Zandt sheriff's deputy killed
Deputy Adam Sherifi
What we know:
It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday as Van Zandt County deputies were assisting the Canton Police Department as they tried to serve a warrant at a home in the 4300 block of State Highway 198, just south of Canton.
The unnamed suspect faced outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault and aggravated assault on a peace officer, officials said.
The suspect fired shots from inside the home at the deputies and officers outside.
The gunfire fatally wounded Deputy Adam Sherifi and hit a Canton police officer in the arm. That Canton officer was flown to a hospital in Plano for surgery and is reportedly stable.
Officers found the suspect dead inside the residence from a gunshot wound.
Community mourns fallen Van Zandt County deputy
People have been stopping by the Van Zandt County Justice Center to pay their respects and leave flowers in honor of Deputy Adam Sherifi, who was killed late Tuesday in a shootout with a wanted suspect.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not released the identities of the suspect or the Canton police officer.
Canton's mayor tells FOX 4 the surviving officer has worked at the department for two months, and was previously with the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office.
Community mourns Deputy Sherifi
Vigil held for Van Zandt County children, deputy
Residents of Van Zandt County came together to mourn the loss of several children to a house fire and a deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty. FOX 4's Eden Checkol has more.
What they're saying:
Deputy Sherifi's widow shared a photo of him in uniform on her Facebook page. She described him as a brave, strong and kind husband and father.
The couple reportedly has three young children, including a new baby born last month.
"He was a good man. He was a provider and a protector and he had the heart and humbleness to do it the right way," said Nancy White, a family member. "Being in law enforcement, at one point you have to ask yourself, ‘Can I keep going?’ And it really, like I said, takes a special kind of person to have the strength and the vulnerability to keep going. And the fact that he left his house with this wife and three children – you know he had a 6-week-old at home – and he still showed up to do the service. That takes a special kind of person."
Local perspective:
Friends, family members, neighbors and local leaders gathered outside the Van Zandt County courthouse on Wednesday to pray for Deputy Sherifi's family, along with the family of three children who died in a house fire in Van Zandt County overnight.
"We come together under common beliefs and in strength of faith. It is not tragedy that binds us together, it's faith," Judge Joshua Winters told the crowd.
"It's sad that this had to happen, especially with the officer. They always put themselves on the line for the community," a neighbor told FOX 4. "You never know what's going on."
The city of Canton posted a statement on its Facebook page Wednesday morning encouraging people to pray for its officer and everyone involved.
"Our hearts are with the family of the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Deputy who was killed in the line of duty last night while assisting our Canton Police officers. We grieve with the Sheriff’s Office today. Please keep our injured officer, his family, and the deputy’s family in your prayers," the city said.
The Canton Police Department also released a statement asking for prayers.
What you can do:
There is already a BBQ fundraiser set for Saturday to help support the deputy's family.
The Source: The information in this article comes from the Van Zandt County Sheriff's Office, the city of Canton, the Canton Police Department, Deputy Adam Sherifi's widow, and members of the community who gathered on Wednesday afternoon for a prayer vigil.