A Monroe County Sheriff’s deputy was shot while carrying out a traffic stop early this morning.
Sheriff Cecil Cantrell told The Dispatch deputy Eric Sloan, a 15-year veteran, pulled over a red motorcycle on Highway 45 Alternate about 3 a.m., about three miles south of the Okolona exit. Cantrell said the rider opened fire as Sloan was walking toward the motorcycle. Sloan was struck once in the torso. The bullet was absorbed by the deputy’s bulletproof vest, according to Cantrell.
“He returned fire on the man, but we are unsure if the suspect was hit or not,” the sheriff said.
The shooter is described as an African-American male riding a red street motorcycle with no tag. Cantrell said the suspect was wearing a black helmet with a red stripe.
Sloan is expected to make a full recovery, Cantrell said.
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