Reserve Deputy Constable Shot

MYRTLE SPRINGS—The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers were called out to investigate a shooting Sunday afternoon on Van Zandt County Road 3209 involving a Precinct 2 Reserve Deputy Constable.

John Richard Alderson, 44, Wills Point, was transported by helicopter to a Tyler hospital with a gunshot wound to his head.

Deputies were dispatched out to the residence on VZCR 3209 where Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett said Alderson had apparently been visiting.

"He (Alderson) is a reserve deputy constable for Precinct 2," Burnett said.

Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chuck Allen confirmed Tuesday morning that Alderson was not on duty at the time of the shooting.

"A report came into 9-1-1 as an accidental shooting. They reported that the victim had dropped his weapon and he was shot in the jaw," Burnett said. "It broke his jaw. It entered the left side of his face and exited out the back of his neck."

Burnett said it is believed there were three people in the house at the time of the shooting.

"They were trying to get him in a (private) vehicle, when 9-1-1 told them to stay there the ambulance would be there in a second," Allen said.

Allen said two weapons were recovered at the scene.

When asked if they recovered the weapon used in the shooting, Burnett said "we believe so."

"We are still trying to determine that," Burnett said when asked what kind of gun was used in the shooting.

Burnett said it is "unknown at this time" whether Alderson had been in an altercation with someone at the residence prior to the shooting.

"Right now we are going on the assumption that it was an accidental shooting," Burnett said when asked if he believed there was foul play.

Burnett did however say his office has "never" had problems at that residence prior to this call.

"We were assisted by the Texas Rangers," Burnett said. "Anytime something like this happens we are going to call another agency in such as the Rangers to help with any kind of investigation we have. It is just protocol when it involves any type of officer or elected official or their family."

Burnett said Alderson’s condition was unknown when he left the scene, but he is still listed in intensive care.

"It is not life-threatening," Burnett said about Alderson’s current condition.

Although Burnett could not elaborate more on the case, it is still under investigation.