Milam County deputy won't face charges in deadly shooting
Milam County (FOX 44) — A Milam County grand jury decided Thursday not to indict Deputy Samuel Ferguson IV for a shooting in October.
Jury members ruled Ferguson was justified in the shooting that ended with the death of 64-year-old Mark Edward Evers of Rockdale.
Milam County Sheriff Mike Clore said Ferguson was conducting a mental health assessment on Oct. 19 around 2 p.m. with members of the Central Counties Services' Mobile Crisis Outreach Team.
Clore said the suspect became uncooperative during the assessment and exhibited suicidal tendencies. He said Ferguson tried to take the person into custody and that is when the subject opened fire.
Ferguson returned fire, striking and killing the suspect. The Central Counties Services team was not injured. A helicopter took the deputy to Baylor Scott & White in Temple.
Ferguson has served in law enforcement for more than 28 years, joining Milam County in 2015. He was with the University of Texas Police Department from 1992 to 2014.
Clore said Ferguson has been instrumental in developing mental health responses for both the UT Police Department and also Milam County.
Texas Ranger Sgt. Kenneth Shields investigated and testified regarding this matter.