Copperas Cove officer killed in line of duty; suspect dies

A Copperas Cove police officer lost his life in the line of duty on Jan. 11, leaving a tight-knit community reeling and a state investigation underway. Officer Elijah Garretson, 27, was shot near the intersection of Great Hills Drive and Lost Trail. Authorities located a suspect later identified as 26-year-old Jamison Cavazos; after an extended negotiation attempt the suspect took his own life.

The Texas Rangers have taken the lead on the investigation, and the Copperas Cove Police Department asked for patience and privacy for Garretson’s family and for the agency as protocols and investigative steps proceed. Local law enforcement, firefighters and residents organized a visible show of respect as Garretson’s body was escorted north to a medical examiner’s office. Emergency vehicles paused along I-35 during the procession, and community members gathered at an impromptu memorial outside the Copperas Cove Police Department to pay their respects.

Garretson was a recent graduate of the Central Texas College Police Academy and earned the Academic Award as the top student in his class. Colleagues and community members described him as dedicated, intelligent and committed to service. Those details have drawn attention across Coryell County, where many residents have personal ties to first responders and where losses like this resonate beyond official circles.

Practical consequences were immediate. The procession and visible memorials created temporary traffic interruptions on I-35 and concentrated activity near the police department. Local agencies coordinated on-scene traffic control and mutual aid while investigators secured the shooting location and collected evidence. The involvement of the Texas Rangers signals that investigators are preparing a thorough, multi-jurisdictional review that will include forensic work, witness interviews and procedural audits.

For residents, the incident raises familiar community questions about public safety, officer training and support for families of fallen officers. It also underlines the emotional labor demanded of small departments when they must manage both local policing duties and the public response to a line-of-duty death. The department’s request for privacy reflects those operational strains while authorities complete investigative and administrative steps required after a fatal shooting.

The takeaway? Give Garretson’s family and fellow officers room to grieve and allow investigators to do their work. If you plan to visit memorials, be mindful of traffic and first responders on site; check official department statements for updates and respect requests for privacy as the community processes this loss.