Suspect in death of Texas DPS trooper arrested in Waller County

WALLER COUNTY, Texas (FOX 26) - Deputies say the suspect in the fatal shooting of a Texas DPS trooper in Freestone County has been taken into custody in Waller County.

According to the Waller County Sheriff's Office, the suspect, Dabrett Black, exchanged shots with deputies in Waller County near Liendo Parkway and Wyatt Chapel and fled on foot Thursday evening. The search for the suspect was focused in that area north of Hwy 290 and west of Prairie View A&M University. He was taken into custody shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday.

Authorities identified Black as the lone suspect in the death of a Texas DPS trooper who was shot and killed around 3:45 p.m. Thursday in Freestone County. According to Texas DPS, preliminary information indicates the trooper stopped a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu for a traffic violation south of Fairfield, approached the vehicle, made contact with the driver, then returned to the patrol unit. That's when the suspect fired multiple shots from a rifle at the trooper, TxDPS says. The trooper died at the scene.

Texas DPS identified the trooper as 41-year-old Damon Allen who joined the department in 2002. Texas DPS released this statement:

Our DPS family is heartbroken tonight after one of Texas' finest law enforcement officers was killed in the line of duty. Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Damon Allen was a loving husband and father of three. We ask for your prayers for his entire family and his many friends and colleagues during the difficult days ahead. Trooper Allen's dedication to duty and his bravery and selfless sacrifice on this Thanksgiving Day, will never be forgotten.

Governor Greg Abbott released this statement regarding the Texas DPS trooper's death:

With heavy hearts on this Thanksgiving, Cecilia and I express our most sincere condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the Trooper who was callously killed today in the line of duty. As law enforcement continues to search for the individual responsible for this heinous crime, I ask that all of Texas keep this Trooper and his brothers and sisters in blue in their thoughts and prayers. The killer will face justice, and the State of Texas will continue to offer our unwavering support for the men and women in law enforcement who keep our communities safe."