TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY – Officer Involved Shooting; Harrison County – 8/28/23

Harrison County, Texas – On August 28, 2023, at approximately 10:30 P.M., a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper conducted a traffic stop on a motorist on US Highway 259 in Gregg County.  Subsequently, a vehicle pursuit began when the driver fled the traffic stop.  The vehicle pursuit ended on FM Road 450 in Harrison County.

After the vehicle pursuit, the suspect ran on foot into a wooded area.  There was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper.  The suspect continued into the wooded area and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The suspect has been identified as John L. Stanford, 39, of Avinger, Texas. This investigation is ongoing, with the Texas Rangers as the lead investigator.  There is no further information at this time.

Adam Albritton, Sergeant

Texas Department of Public Safety

Media & Communications / Safety Education