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Officer Shot Speaks for First Time

738 views · Published 10 September 2012 · 2:30 · Indexed 24 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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By: Drew Bollea  A California man is accused of leading police on a high speed chase Thursday after shooting an officer, and carjacking a woman throughout the ordeal.The officer who first responded to the scene and was struck by a bullet is speaking out. "I definitely felt like the man was trying to kill me," said Chickamauga Police officer Ira Taylor.Taylor has been a police officer for more than 27 years. He responded to a domestic incident on Wilder St. in Chickamauga and ran into an unfamiliar situation."I've never been shot at before," said TaylorAuthorities say Taylor and another Chickamauga police officer tried to calm down Michael Brooks, 24, of Lyndale, California when they arrived at the scene. The situation escalated. According to Chickmauga Police Chief Michael Haney, the suspect "managed to take the duty weapon off the officer and at that point started firing rounds at the officer."Brooks rang off 6 shots.One of the bullets hit Officer Taylor in the leg, something he never thought would happen. "Its just something you can't describe," said Taylor who needed five staples in his leg.Investigators say, Brooks then took off, dumped his SUV and carjacked a woman, leading police on a high speed chase.It ended on I -75 at the Tennessee -Georgia border when two deputies risked their lives, to bring the chase to an end. "A Walker County Sheriffs Office Deputy and a Catoosa County Sheriffs Office Deputy performed a maneuver and squeezed him in," said Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.Those deputies arrested Brooks, who faces several charges including aggravated assault on police officers and carjacking. As for Taylor, his injuries haven't changed his passion for law enforcement."Its my life, its what I've done since I was 21 years old and I'm 49 now," said Taylor,"I'd be doing it today if I could."Taylor is at home resting and recovering from the gun shot wound. He said he is thankful for all the support and kind words from family and friends.According to Chief Haney, the last time an officer was shot in the line of duty was in the 1970's. A constable was shot and killed attending to a domestic dispute.

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