According to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver, an officer-involved shooting investigation is underway in Cherokee County.

Around 3:00 pm on Wednesday, deputies performed a traffic stop on Alabama Highway 273. Deputies learned of a warrant for the driver, 42 year old Brett Dow Littlejohn of Cedar Bluff and attempted to arrest him.

As the deputy reached into the vehicle to apprehend the man, the suspect attempted to flee with the deputy dangling out of the window. While being dragged several hundred feet, the deputy managed to tase the suspect three times, attempting to stop the man and be freed from the vehicle. The Taser had no effect, and the deputy was forced to shoot the suspect to stop the vehicle. The suspect was airlifted to UAB Hospital and will face charges when he is released.

According the Sheriff Shaver, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and the JSU Center for Applied Forensics is investigating the incident. Upon completion of the investigation, the District Attorney’s Office will review it. Sheriff Shaver stated, “We are thankful our deputies were not injured or killed while performing their duty today.”

Centre Police, Cedar Bluff Police, Leesburg Police Officers & Chief Brent Grimes, Leesburg Fire and units with the Tucker’s Chapel and Broomtown Fire Departments also assisted.