Police Officer Elijah Garretson with the Copperas Cove Police Department in Texas shot dead by Jamison Cavazos of Lampasas, wanted fugitive involved in organized criminal activity.
A Central Texas police officer was shot dead during the line of duty over the weekend.
Elijah Garretson, 27, a New Hampshire native and a police officer with the Copperas Cove Police Department in Texas, was shot and killed Saturday while going to serve an arrest warrant for a wanted fugitive ‘engaging in organized criminal activity.’
Officer Garretson had gone to arrest Jamison Cavazos, 26, of Lampasas after the man failed to appear in court for sentencing only for the suspect to resist arrest and shoot and kill Officer Garretson.
Police said the shooting took place at Great Hills Drive and Lost Trail intersection in west Copperas Cove, circa 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 10. Cavazos fled the scene before becoming involved in a standoff with police and taking his own life with a firearm after a ‘lengthy negotiation attempt’, officials said, KWTX reported.
Copperas Cove Police Officer remembered
Read a statement in part from Senator Pete Flores of District 24, ‘This officer placed his life in harm’s way trying to protect public safety and paid the ultimate price. This loss is a tragic reminder of the courageous sacrifice that outlaw enforcement officers face every day.’
‘As we begin to navigate this incredibly difficult time, we ask for understanding and patience as our department, Officer Garretson’s family, and our law enforcement family grieve this tremendous loss,’ the Copperas Cove Police Department wrote in a Facebook release.
‘We ask the community to keep Officer Garretson’s loved ones and our department in their thoughts and prayers,‘ the department said.
Law enforcement and firefighters across Central Texas stopped along bridges Sunday morning, honoring Officer Garretson as a procession escorted him to the medical examiner’s office in North Texas.
Central Texas Police officer leaves behind fiancee and 5 year old daughter
Garretson grew up in New Hampshire and graduated from Manchester Memorial High School and then joining the U.S. Army and becoming a cavalry scout, serving for seven years. In June 2025, Garretson joined the Copperas Cove Police Department.
Prior to joining the Copperas Cove Police Dept, Garretson had graduated with honors distinction from the Central Texas College Police Academy.
Garretson was supposed to get married on April 12, 2026. Along with his fiancee he leaves behind a 5 year old daughter.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. No further information is available at this time.
