The following are remarks delivered by TBI Acting Director Jason Locke this afternoon, to update the public on the investigation into the death of a Dickson County deputy and the ongoing search for the individual believed to be responsible for it. Future updates will be posted on this site.
Good afternoon.
We want to provide an update on what is a very tragic event that has cut to the core of law enforcement officers from across the state, and the nation.
At the request of District Attorney General Ray Crouch, TBI Special Agents, working jointly with multiple other local, state and federal agencies, are investigating the circumstances that led to an officer-involved shooting that took the life of a Dickson County Deputy this morning.
Initial information indicates that around 7 o’clock Wednesday morning, a resident contacted Dickson County dispatch to report a suspicious vehicle, on Sam Vineyard Road in Dickson County.
A deputy with the Dickson County Sheriff’s Office responded to that call.
After a period of time, when the deputy failed to check in, attempts were made to track him and his vehicle, via GPS.
An officer with another agency found the deputy’s vehicle, located in a wooded area off Bear Creek Valley Road, about two miles away from the location of the initial call.
The deputy was found inside the car, deceased.
Based on video evidence and other information developed at the scene, it was determined that the individual responsible for the deputy’s death is Steven Joshua Wiggins.
TBI’s Violent Crimes Response Team unit, with multiple Special Agent Forensic Scientists, have been at the scene through the day to collect any and all relevant evidence, while other Special Agents continue to interview witnesses and follow tips that come in.
We have been working closely with local, state and federal agencies from across the region and state in the pursuit of Wiggins, who is believed to armed and very dangerous.
These agencies have been providing critical support, offering manpower, technical assistance, and aviation assistance.
Anyone who has information about the location of Steven Wiggins is urged to call 911 or 1-800-TBI-FIND. The search is currently focused on locations within and around Dickson and Hickman Counties. If you do see this man, do not approach him, and call authorities immediately.
We’d like to thank the media for their help in getting the word out about this dangerous man. Having your reach in providing a photo, and his description, has been very helpful in getting information dispersed in the search for Wiggins.
