Patrolman Rupert Holliday Peete, Jr.

Rupert Holliday Peete, Jr.

Deputy Rupert Peete was shot and killed after being ambushed by a man who had just murdered two firefighters.

The firefighters had been ambushed by the same man after responding to a house fire. As they approached the burning structure, the suspect came out of the home's garage and opened fire with a shotgun, killing both firefighters.

Deputy Peete, who was responding to the scene of the shots-fired call, was shot before exiting his patrol car. Other officers arrived on the scene and shot the suspect after he refused to drop his weapon. A fourth victim was found dead in the garage.

The killer was a firefighter who had just returned to duty after being on disability.

On April 24, 2006, the killer was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Deputy Peete had served with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department for 3 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.