Deputy Sheriff Mark Louis Stephenson

Deputy Sheriff Mark Louis Stephenson

Atascosa County Sheriff's Department, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, October 12, 1999

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Mark Louis Stephenson

Deputy Sheriff Mark Stephenson and two other officers were shot and killed when they were ambushed at a 911 hang-up call at 8:11 pm.

Deputy Stephenson and Deputy Thomas Monse were the first officers on the scene at Corgey Road and Coughram Road near Pleasanton when they were shot with a semi-automatic rifle by the subject, who was waiting in an ambush. Both deputies were still in their patrol cars. After shooting the officers, the subject took one of their handguns and hid in a ditch across a dirt road from the mobile home.

As Trooper Terry Miller pulled up, he spotted the two slain deputies and radioed for backup but was shot and killed before he had a chance to take off his seat belt. Other officers who arrived on the scene exchanged fire with the suspect. Two more officers and the subject were shot and wounded before the man committed suicide with the stolen handgun.

An accomplice to the subject who bailed him out of jail and helped him purchase ammunition in order to ambush the officers was sentenced to death in March 2001. The conviction was overturned on appeal, and he was sentenced to 30 years in prison under a plea agreement.

Deputy Stephenson was a U.S. Army veteran and served with the Atascosa County Sheriff's Department for five years and previously served with the Elmendorf Police Department. He was survived by his wife, three children, mother, and three siblings.

Bio

  • Age 31
  • Tour 9 years
  • Badge 633
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Rifle; Semi-automatic
  • Offender Committed suicide

911 hangup, ambush

Most Recent Reflection

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Been a long time brother. Still think and talk about you often. Came across an old photo of us dove hunting and it really hit me. We had some damn good times amigo. One of the first times I ever strapped on a gun and badge I was with you. You told me “If you ever see me take off my hat get ready to go hands on”. That night we got sent to a domestic and you told the guy he was going to jail…. He said he wasn’t….. you took off your hat and set it on the trunk of your car. Me being super green I remember my heart racing thinking here we go. Well you put your hat back on. You took it on and off several times arguing back and forth with the guy and each time was an instant adrenaline dump for this rookie officer. Finally the guy just turned around and put his hands behind his back and you cuffed him. Looking back I’m guessing the peaceful resolution was most likely due to your size. Just a couple days ago I was talking with Rick and we laughed about the time the guy was hiding under the house and we were trying to coax him out so someone said we were going to turn the dogs loose on him even though we had no dogs back then. In your big deep voice you started barking and I’ll be damned he fell for it and came crawling out from under the house because he was afraid of being bitten. Good times. You have Jay up there with you now so y’all keep an eye out for us down here. With the good Lords blessing we will meet again. Miss you my friend.

Lieutenant (Ret)

December 2, 2023

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