Sandy MaloneMexia, TX – The career criminal who shot Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper Chad Walker multiple times on Friday was found dead of suicide on Saturday, while the trooper he tried to kill remains on life support until his organs can be donated.
The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. on March 26 when Trooper Walker stopped to help with a stranded motorist on FM Road 2848 and U.S. Highway 84 in Limestone County, according to KBTX.
“Before Trooper Walker could stop his patrol unit [the suspect] immediately emerged from the driver’s seat of the disabled vehicle armed with a handgun and fired multiple rounds at Trooper Walker through the patrol unit’s windshield,” the Texas DPS Officers Association said in a statement, KHOU reported.
Trooper Walker was shot in the head and abdomen.
The wounded trooper was airlifted to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Waco in critical condition, KHOU reported.
Last night Texas State Trooper Chad Walker stopped behind a disabled vehicle. Before Trooper Walker could exit his vehicle, the driver emerged and fired multiple rounds through the troopers windshield, striking him in the head and abdomen. He is currently in critical condition. pic.twitter.com/9PLKwxfxqO
— MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) March 27, 2021
Authorities quickly identified the gunman and launched a manhunt.
Law enforcement issued a Blue Alert for 36-year-old DeArthur Pinson, Jr. on Saturday morning.
Police said Pinson took a black backpack out of his vehicle and took off into the woods after he shot Trooper Walker, KTRK reported.
DeArthur Pinson Jr. DOB 7/15/84 is currently wanted in connection to a shooting of a Texas DPS Trooper near Mexia, Texas.
Pinson is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Contact 911 immediately with any information on his whereabouts. pic.twitter.com/RQ3HbRTrmN— TxDPS – Central Texas Region (@TxDPSCentral) March 27, 2021
He was on the loose in the woods for several hours and law enforcement officers from multiple agencies used helicopters and dogs to search for the armed suspect.
Deputies found Pinson dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound later on March 27 near Mexia, KHOU reported.
The thoughts and prayers from everyone at #TDCJ go out to the family and friends of Trooper Chad Walker and his entire team at the @TxDPS.
Stay strong & get well soon, Trooper Walker. pic.twitter.com/utfD0pIQzL
— TDCJ (@TDCJ) March 28, 2021
Texas DPS announced in a tweet on Monday afternoon that Trooper Walker would not survive his wounds and was being kept alive so that he could be an organ donor.
This final sacrifice embodies Trooper Walker’s actions throughout his life and service as a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper. The Walker family is grateful for the continued support and prayers as they remain at Chad’s side. (2/2)
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) March 29, 2021
The trooper is married with four children, including a two-month old baby, KHOU reported.
This is @TxDPS Trooper Chad Walker. The officer who was ambushed and shot through his windshield by a coward last night.
Please pray for Chad and his entire family, blood and blue. He is fighting for his life right now. #BackTheBlue 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qPONKVEBf2
— Manny Ramirez (@MannyRamirez_TX) March 27, 2021
Pinson was sentenced to 10 years in prison for armed robbery in Houston County, the Palestine Herald reported in 2007.
He was also arrested by the Palestine Police Department for military desertion in 2003 while he was serving in the U.S. Army.
Friends have established a GoFundMe campaign to help the trooper’s family and you can click here to contribute.
Holly Matkin
