Bell County Sheriff’s Deputy Killed While Assisting in Vehicle Pursuit on I-35

Deputy John Andrew Rhoden [Bell County Sheriff's Office, KWTX][/caption]A Bell County deputy was fatally injured early Sunday morning while attempting to deploy spike strips during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

In a news release, the Temple Police Department reported that the stolen vehicle entered Bell County around 1:40 AM while being pursued by Williamson County deputies.

Bell County deputies offered to assist in the pursuit. According to police, one of these deputies was struck by an 18-wheeler while attempting to lay a spike strip near exit 294 of northbound I-35.

Our partners at KWTX report that the deputy was 31-year-old John Andrew Rhoden. Rhoden had been with the Bell County Sheriff's Office since June of 2010.

BCSO colleagues will escort Rhoden's body to the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office.

Temple police say they are investigating Rhoden's death with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Bell County Sheriff's Office.

I want to express my heartfelt condolences to Rhoden's family, friends, and fellow law enforcement officers.