The man accused of shooting a Jacksonville, Texas, police officer and her K-9 partner on Sunday surrendered to authorities Wednesday night after a four-day manhunt, police said.
Bobby Michael Dennis, 64, was taken into custody at 8:30 p.m. on a wooded property along County Road 3509 west of Jacksonville city limits in Cuney. Officers discovered a makeshift bunker and recovered a 9mm handgun at the site.
Chief Steven Markasky stated that Dennis surrendered without incident as multiple agencies, including the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety, executed a search warrant.
Dennis faces charges of attempted capital murder of a peace officer, interference with a police service animal, and two counts of obstruction or retaliation. A Cherokee County judge set bond Thursday at $1.3 million — $1 million for the attempted murder count, $200,000 for retaliation, and $100,000 for the animal charge.
The officer was patrolling the 1100 block of Churchill Street on Sunday when she spotted Dennis, who had outstanding warrants, standing outside his home. Markasky said she called out “Mr. Dennis” and asked him to approach, but he moved behind the residence and emerged with an AR-15.
As she sought cover behind her patrol unit, Dennis fired approximately 20 rounds, striking the officer in the arm and leg and hitting K-9 Renzo through the vehicle door. The officer never drew her weapon, and the dog was never deployed, Markasky said.
Both underwent surgery in Tyler and are now stable. Renzo is recovering at the home of a Jacksonville officer.
Markasky said investigators believe others helped Dennis evade capture, and additional charges are expected. A Blue Alert had offered $21,000 in rewards, including $10,000 from the Texas Department of Public Safety.