BELL COUNTY, Texas -- Bell County Deputy John Andrew Rhoden died early Sunday while assisting Williamson County in a vehicle pursuit on Interstate 35. He was 31.
Bell County Sheriff’s Deputies were asked to assist Williamson County Sheriff’s Office in a vehicle pursuit from Williamson County into Bell County around 1:45 a.m. During the pursuit, Rhoden was attempting to deploy spike strips on I-35 in Temple when he was struck by a vehicle.
Bell County, which lies an hour north of Austin, encompasses Temple, Salado, Belton, Fort Hood, Killeen and other nearby cities.
Rhoden had worked for the Bell County Sheriff’s Department for about 10 years and was currently assigned to the midnight shift patrol division.
News of Rhoden’s death drew condolences from law enforcement agencies across Central Texas.
Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody said in a tweet, “We are praying for the Rhoden family, the Bell County Sheriff’s Office, and the community during this difficult time.”
The Leander Police Department also expressed their condolences in a tweet Sunday.
“Our prayers go out to the family of Bell County SO Dep John Rhoden, as well as the men and women of the Bell County SO, as they mourn the loss of Dep Rhoden. Rhoden was struck and killed by a semi last night as he laid out spike strips assisting Williamson Cty SO with a pursuit.”
An autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace David Barfield. Rhoden will be escorted to the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office in Dallas by members of the Bell County Sheriff’s Department, including some from his patrol shift. The incident is under investigation.
The 100 Club of Central Texas has activated a survivor fund in response to Rhoden’s death. Donations in his honor can be made online or by mail to 3200 Steck Ave, Ste 240, Austin, TX, 78757. Messages of support will be shared with the family.
This is the third time since March 18 that the survivor fund has been activated. A fund was activated for Travis County Sheriff Deputy Christopher Korzilius, who died in a crash in March, and San Marcos Police Officer Justin Putnam, who was killed while responding to a domestic violence call April 18. Additionally, the club stands with the families of injured San Marcos Police Officers Paul Beller, Justin Mueller, and Franco Stewart, also injured since March 18.
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