WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Lee Co. deputy dies in the line of duty

Lee Co. deputy dies in the line of duty

Posted by: John Shryock - bio | email

SMITHS STATION, AL (WSFA) - A Lee County Sheriff's deputy has died of injuries suffered in the line of duty. He is identified as 39-year-old Deputy James Anderson, a three-year veteran to the department.

Anderson was rushed to Columbus Medical Center around 1:00pm Thursday in critical condition. He died a short time later.

The man accused of running him down with a car, 31-year-old Gregory Lance Henderson of Columbus, Georgia is being held in the Russell County Jail. He now faces one count of Capital Murder.

The officer's death came after a routine traffic stop on Lee Road 240 just inside Smiths Station. Investigators say Anderson and another deputy followed Henderson's vehicle into a residential driveway. 

When Anderson attempted to make contact with the driver, the suspect stepped on the gas and pinned the officer under his car. The other officer, uninjured, pulled Henderson from his car and arrested him on the spot.

Medics and other law enforcement officers arrived on the scene within minutes and worked to free the trapped officer.

Deputy James Anderson is survived by a wife, daughter and son. He's also being mourned by 150 members of the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

A motive is unknown in this case. The Alabama Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case at the request of the LCSO.

WSFA 12 News and our sister station, WTVM, continue to follow this developing story. We'll bring you the latest information as it becomes available.

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