Tennessee Highway Patrol officer shot, recent incident in Cookeville

PUTNAM COUNTY, Tenn. – A Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) officer was shot during a traffic stop, prompting a search for two men in a vehicle connected to the shooting.

At around 8:40 p.m., Mayor Randy Porter posted: “Interstate 40 eastbound is closed at 285 between Tennessee Avenue and the Burgess Falls exit due to a police officer being shot. Please pray for him.”

FOX 17 News confirmed with Tennessee Highway Patrol Captain Patrick S. Turner that an incident occurred in the Cookeville District. The agency also posted a description of the suspects and the vehicle they may have been in on Facebook. “Officer involved in shooting. We are actively looking for two black males with facial tattoos driving a white Kia Forte – possible temporary Tennessee license plate: Q9SC4JR. The vehicle was last seen eastbound on I-40. The officer is in stable condition. Call 911 immediately if you have any information.”

I-40 and 286 East in Putnam County have been closed due to the intense police activity related to the search. The Putnam County Fire Department reports the trooper was transported for medical treatment and there is no timeline for when the roads will reopen.

Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris released further details of the shooting via social media: “At approximately 7:50 p.m. this evening, a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 40 at/near Exit 285/Willow Ave. The patrol officer was shot by one of the occupants of the vehicle. The vehicle then traveled north on Willow Ave. toward Cookeville.”

THP has also released a photo of one of the men in the vehicle currently wanted in connection with the shooting. Anyone who can identify him is asked to call 423-954-2130 ext. 0.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has issued a Blue Alert, a public safety alert designed to help law enforcement catch violent criminals.