Bio & Incident Details
Age: 30
Tour: 1 year
Badge # M-11
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 3/23/1984
Weapon: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect: Shot and killed
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Trooper Steven Gardner was shot and killed by a suspect he had arrested earlier in the night. The suspect bonded out of jail, changed cars, and began searching for Trooper Gardner. After several hours the suspect located Trooper Gardner parked on the side Highway 51 near Hazelhurst doing paperwork. The suspect then intentionally struck Trooper Gardner's patrol car.
Trooper Gardner notified dispatch he had been involved in an accident and was checking on the other driver. As he approached the car he was shot in the chest. The round struck him in between the panels of his vest. As he fell to the ground he was able to return fire and kill the suspect.
The ensuing investigation determined that the suspect had searched for Trooper Gardner for most of the night and that Trooper Gardner did not immediately recognize him because he had switched cars.
Trooper Gardner had served with the agency for one year. A portion of United States Highway 51 South of Hazlehurst has been dedicated to Trooper Gardner.
