LANETT, Ala. — A Coweta County deputy was killed after being struck by an Alabama police officer during a chase along I-85 that crossed state lines, authorities said.
Police in Lanett, Alabama confirmed one of their officers struck the Georgia deputy. The Coweta County Sheriff's Office later said Deputy Eric Minix was the law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty.
"DS Eric Minix was a dedicated Deputy and K9 Officer, but more importantly, he was a friend to everyone who knew him," a Coweta County Sheriff's Office statement said. "Eric leaves behind a loving wife and three daughters. We have lost a good deputy. We have lost a good man. We have lost a good friend."
Lanett is just across the state line from West Point, Ga.
"The chase began in Georgia and had crossed over into Alabama when the deadly crash occurred," a Lanett Police Department statement said. "Several Georgia agencies were involved in the pursuit involving a driver who allegedly stole a vehicle."
Coweta County Sheriff Lenn Wood explained in a press conference Thursday afternoon what happened during the fatal moment. According to Wood, a police department in Alabama put out stop sticks to stop the speeding vehicle.
Once that happened, Minix stepped out of the car.
"He stopped behind the car, he gets out the car and starts giving orders for them what to do, and as he's standing outside the car another police agency from Alabama came up, couldn’t stop, and hit him," he said.
Wood said the deputy was on the roadway on the driver's side of his vehicle. He said Minix was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The driver who was being chased was taken into custody, Lanett Police said.
The officer who struck the Georgia law enforcement officer was put on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
"Our heartfelt condolences are sent to the family and department," Lanett Police said. "Please keep all involved in your thoughts and prayers."
Wood said Minix had a wife and daughters.
“He was a friend, a father, a son, a brother, but most of all, he was a law enforcement officer first. That’s all he ever wanted to do," Wood said.
News happens fast. Download our 11Alive News app for all the latest breaking updates, and sign up for our Speed Feed newsletter to get a rundown of the latest headlines across north Georgia.