Turmoil still remains for families and in-laws of a local couple, as well as Fairfield Officer Albert Gallegos, the responding officer who ultimately use deadly force to end a situation regarding a domestic dispute that spilled over onto the Freestone County Courthouse Square thoroughfare during the early morning hours on Friday, March 1, 2019.
According to an official press release from the City of Fairfield, at approximately 4:30 a.m., a Fairfield Police Officer encountered a domestic situation on U.S. Highway 84 near the courthouse square.
The release reads that during the situation, a 29-year-old Hispanic male was threatening to harm a female. During the altercation, the officer discharged his Taser, and then had to use deadly force in the situation.
The male was declared deceased at the scene.
According to City Administrator Nate Smith, the body has been sent to Dallas for autopsy.
Information on the deceased is being withheld, pending notification of next of kin.
Names of the victims, and their medical status, have yet to be released.
Officer Gallegos, a 10-year veteran of the Fairfield Police Department, was not injured.
The Fairfield officer has been placed on leave until an investigation by Texas Rangers is concluded.
Highway 84 was completely blocked off in downtown Fairfield, Texas from the time of the incident until nearly one o’clock that afternoon. Traffic had to be re-routed between Mount and Hall Streets.
This was done to allow time for the Texas Rangers to arrive from Waco, and then to work the scene.
Observed securing the scene were local law enforcement, including Fairfield Police Chief David Utsey, Fairfield officers Rodney Price, Mary Bates, and Markeisha Cox; Freestone County Sheriff Jeremy Shipley and deputies; and Constable – Pct. 1 Buck Bonner.
City Administrator Smith states that officers handled the situation with complete professionalism and composure, also naming Texas DPS Troopers, the District Attorney, and Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department in assisting with the crime scene. “I am proud to be associated with them,” he says.
Smith also commended City employees, including the members of the police department, for working as a team and focusing on the job at hand during this emotional time.
“It’s a terrible, tough situation for the officer involved, suspect, the families,” adds Smith. “We wish to keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers as we overcome these events.”
The City Administrator also related that a Special Called meeting of Fairfield City Council will be held on Monday, March 4, 2019 to hire an additional police officer.
This action was originally to be scheduled for the Council’s Regular Session on March 12th, but was moved up as the police officer involved in this incident may be on leave for an extended period.
It is unknown how long it will take for the Texas Rangers to conclude their investigation, and how soon the Fairfield officer might be cleared to return to active duty.
