Trooper Ryan Fox

Two Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies and a State Trooper were shot in the Hanson community yesterday afternoon while responding to the report of a man threatening suicide.

A news release says the officers responded to 85 Section House Lane around 4:40 after dispatchers at the Hopkins County ECC and at State Police Post 2 received a call from 25-year old Dustin Barnes of Hanson threatening to take his own life.

Hopkins County Sheriff Frank Latham, Deputies Otis Chamberlain, Jamie Lampton and Mark Gentry and State Trooper Ryan Fox responded and the Sheriff’s Department made contact with Barnes by phone.

At approximately 5:44, Barnes reportedly exited his home and fired a shotgun at police, hitting Deputy Gentry, Deputy Lampton and Trooper Fox. Officers returned fire and struck Barnes.

The three officers and Barnes were taken by ambulance to Regional Medical Center in Madisonville, where Barnes would succumb to his injuries. Deputy Gentry and Trooper Fox were treated and released, while Deputy Lampton was scheduled for surgery—but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

                                                            **

12/06/2011/am