Friday, February 19, 2021 about 6:24 p.m. Chillicothe Dispatch received a call of a one vehicle accident on U.S. 36 east of Chillicothe.  A Livingston County Deputy Sheriff arrived on scene about 6:33 p.m. and found the reported vehicle to be unoccupied.  The deputy noticed a set of foot tracks in the snow headed towards some timber and soon saw a male approaching the deputy and heard him saying specific comment(s) which raised concerns of possible mental health problems.  The deputy continued talking with the man in attempt to learn what he was experiencing and how we could help him.  The suspect handed the deputy some type of suspected drug and personal item(s).   The deputy apparently became comfortable enough in trying to help this man that both were later seated in the front seat of the patrol vehicle and talking when suddenly the male became violent, seized the microphone from the deputy and continued aggressively attacking the deputy inside the patrol vehicle.  The assault on the deputy continued and our officer was forced to pull his duty weapon but the assault continued and the duty weapon was discharged with at least one round striking the suspect who was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The deputy was taken by ambulance to Hedrick Medical Center due to injuries received and is being examined at the time of this press release.

Sheriff Steve Cox has requested the Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) be summoned to the scene to conduct a complete investigation of the incident. 

Chillicothe Police, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Chillicothe Department of Emergency Services assisted at the scene.  U.S. 36 westbound lanes about ½ mile east of Mitchell Road is shut down at this time due to the crime scene and investigation.

Livingston County Coroner J. Scott Lindley was summoned to the scene. 

Investigation will take some time and any additional information may be obtained from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Press Information Officer at Troop H in St. Joseph.

Our thoughts and prayers are will all involved, their families, friends and coworkers.

Sheriff Steve Cox