Holly MatkinAlvarado, TX – A Hill County constable was shot repeatedly while pursuing two murder suspects on Thursday evening.
Dallas Police Department (DPD) Fugitive Unit officers were tracking the suspects’ red Dodge Neon along Interstate 35 West after they were spotted in the Ellis County area, KWTX reported.
Officers in a police helicopter asked local law enforcement agencies to conduct a traffic stop of the suspect vehicle, so the Waxahachie Police Department (WPD) and the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) moved in to initiate the stop, according to FOX News.
But the fugitives refused to pull over, resulting in a chase down the interstate.
Additional officers, including Hill County Constable Kevin Cordell, joined in the pursuit, WGMB reported.
“At some point during the pursuit, one or both suspects fired at the pursuing agencies,” a DPD spokesperson told FOX News.
Constable Cordell was hit multiple times during the attack, KXXV reported.
BREAKING: Law enforcement officer shot multiple times in shootout after pursuit of two murder suspects near Dallas, condition unknown; suspects in custody – KXXV
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 13, 2021
The suspects continued to shoot at police as they sped northbound on Interstate 35W, the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a press release, according to KWTX.
They eventually made a U-turn and started heading back southbound down the same road, the DPS said.
Police were able to disable the fleeing vehicle in the Alvarado area using a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver, KXAS reported.
That’s when the officers came under fire yet again.
“While still inside the disabled suspect vehicle, the suspects continued to shoot at the officers from the other agencies,” the DPD said, according to FOX News.
Update – No movement inside the suspect vehicle. Sounds like at least two suspects inside. They reported fired shots at police during the chase. Fire/EMS staging nearby. I35W and CR 604 in Alvarado. AVOID THE AREA!
— DFW Scanner (@DFWscanner) May 13, 2021
At least one of the suspects was shot during the gun battle, police said.
Both were taken into custody.
Constable Cordell was airlifted to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment, according to KXXV.
He remained hospitalized late Thursday night, but his wounds are not believed to be life-threatening, WGMB reported.
Praying for my friend, retired BPD Officer and current Hill County Constable Kevin Cordell. He was shot today while assisting another agency in a pursuit trying to apprehend two violent criminals. pic.twitter.com/ypuAzQGq5d
— Billy Cordell (@BurlesonChief) May 14, 2021
One of the suspects remained hospitalized in critical condition on Thursday night, according to KXXV.
The condition of the second suspect is unclear.
Their names have not been released.
The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation into the incident, KXAS reported.
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Sandy Malone
