HEALTH UPDATE— Samuel Ferguson V, son of Deputy Sam Ferguson IV, told The Reporter that his father had surgery to wire his jaw shut and is awake and communicating through writing.
“The gunshot to his face has caused him to have to have his jaw wired shut due to his jaw being shattered. The shot to his chest was just a graze and won’t be a lasting concern. He has a long road to recovery but the prognosis is very good,” he said.
THEWHOLESTORY— About 2 p.m. last Wednesday a Milam County Sheriff ’s Department deputy was shot while in the line of duty during a mental health call in the 100 block of Inwood Drive at the Western Hills Road turnoff on US 79 west of Rockdale.
According to Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore, Milam County Sheriff’s Department Mental Health Deputy Department Mental Health Deputy Sam Ferguson IV, while working as part of the Mental Crisis Outreach Team, was conducting a mental health assessment on an individual who was experiencing a mental health crisis.
During the assessment the subject became uncooperative while exhibiting suicidal tendencies and it was determined that the subject was in crisis and a danger to himself and others.
When Deputy Ferguson attempted to take the subject for an emergency order of detention the subject opened fire on the deputy. The deputy was hit and returned fire striking the subject. Deputy Ferguson was transported via PHI Life Flight to Baylor Scott & White Temple in stable condition. The subject was deceased at the scene.
The Texas Rangers have been requested to investigate the officer involved shooting and the identity of the subject is not being released pending notifications as of press time.
Deputy Ferguson has been in law service for 28 years and currently serves as a Mental Health Deputy and has been instrumental in developing mental health responses for both the University of Texas Police Department and the Sheriff's Office.
He has been with the Milam County Sheriff’s Office since October of 2015 and is licensed and certified as both a Master Peace Officer and a Mental Health Peace Officer. According to a Thursday update from Deputy Ferguson’s sister, Katie Ferguson Husher, the shot to his face was in his left cheek. The bullet hit a tooth and shattered his left jaw. He was intubated and sedated to protect his airway.
“We were told that for being shot in the face this is a best case scenario. He will be having several surgeries and will at some point get a 3D printed jawbone. I’m so thankful to Heavenly Father it was not any worse,” she reported.
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