Dade County Deputies Pursuit Ends in Gunfire, Drug Seizure, and Arrest in Marion County
MARION COUNTY, Tenn. / DADE COUNTY, Ga. — A late-night pursuit that began in Wildwood, Georgia, ended in Marion County, Tennessee, with gunfire, a major drug seizure, and the arrest of a suspect wanted on felony warrants. No deputies were seriously injured.
The incident began on Sunday, December 7th, at approximately 11:30 p.m., when Dade County Deputies conducting traffic enforcement observed a vehicle with an equipment violation exit I-24 West onto Highway 299. When deputies attempted a traffic stop, the driver made a u-turn back onto the interstate and accelerated rapidly, initiating a pursuit.
The fleeing vehicle crossed into Marion County and exited the interstate at Haletown. In an effort to end the pursuit, a Dade County deputy made intentional vehicular contact with the suspect’s vehicle. The driver spun out but then accelerated in the opposite direction, striking a Dade County Sergeant head-on, heavily damaging both vehicles. Despite the collision, the suspect continued fleeing.
As the pursuit neared the outskirts of Jasper, Tennessee, Marion County Deputies took the lead. The suspect vehicle ultimately crashed under the overpass at SR 28 and US 41.
Shots Fired at Deputies
As deputies exited their vehicles to approach, the suspect fired two shots at officers. No law enforcement returned fire. The suspect then attempted to flee again, but additional officers arriving on scene quickly removed him from the vehicle and took him into custody.
Drugs, Cash, and Weapons Recovered
Deputies recovered:
3 firearms
Approximately ½ pound of suspected cocaine
Approximately ½ pound of suspected methamphetamine
$28,000 in cash
The suspect also had outstanding felony warrants.
Charges
Marion County Sheriff’s Office has charged the driver with shooting at officers and numerous additional offenses.
Dade County Sheriff’s Office has taken warrants for drug trafficking, felony fleeing, and multiple traffic-related charges.
The suspect is identified as Stephen Pyles, 52, of Jamestown, Tennessee. He is currently being held in Marion County.
No Serious Injuries
Despite the collisions and gunfire, no deputies or officers sustained serious injuries during the pursuit.
Sheriff Ray Cross Statement
“Despite knowing how risky this job can be, our Deputies put their uniforms on and leave their families every single day, hoping to get monsters just like this off of our streets. This guy proved that he would try to do absolutely anything not to get caught, but it didn’t work out too well for him. I thank God that he didn’t seriously hurt any officers, deputies, or bystanders, but society is better off with him being off the streets. He’s the kind of guy who is poisoning our loved ones, with absolutely no regard for anyone else.
I am so proud of my deputies for everything that they do to further our goal of keeping our community safe. I am also very appreciative of the assistance from Trenton PD, Dade County Dispatch, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Jasper PD. This is what happens when we all work so well together!”
— Sheriff Ray Cross
