By Pat Pratt
POTOSI – Public safety officers and members of the public gathered Saturday in Potosi to mourn the loss of Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Parsons, who was killed in the line of duty.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), Parsons was shot while assisting emergency medical services on a call for an unconscious person early Saturday morning on Nugget Road in the Springtown area of Washington County.
The Associated Press reported Sunday that Gary Sancegrow of Mineral Point has been charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the shooting death of Christopher Parsons, 31, Sheriff Andy Skiles said. He said Sancegrow, whose name has also been spelled Sancegraw, was being held Sunday without bond at an undisclosed location.
“The sheriff’s department is taking it hard, as any of us would as a member of our own,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Juston Wheetley He’s a member of the law enforcement family around here. He’s well known by many of the people. He’s a young guy who just started out his career. Its very tragic and they’re all taking it really hard.”
According to officials, a 9-1-1 call was received at 2:10 a.m. Paramedics responded along with Deputy Parsons, who was there to provide support. As the unconscious victim was being loaded into the ambulance a single shot came from the nearby woods, fatally wounding the deputy.
Law enforcement officers from across southeast Missouri assisted with the ensuing manhunt. Armed deputies set up roadblocks in the search area. K-9 officers and aerial support were also used in the search of the area, which is a mixture of abandoned strip mines, forest and hills.
The primary suspect, Sancegrow, a 30-year-old white male, 6 feet tall, 200 pounds with brown eyes and red hair has been taken into custody. According to police he was apprehended in a vehicle on a county road. They say he surrendered without incident.
Officials would not confirm if there was any relation between the unconscious person and the suspect. A motive for the shooting has not been determined.
Parsons was with the department for two months. He was a recent graduate of the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy in Park Hills. Officials said he died early Saturday at Washington County Memorial Hospital.
A candlelight vigil was held for the fallen officer at 7 p.m. at Moore Funeral Home in Potosi. Friends, family and public safety officers from across southeast Missouri attended the vigil. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Pat Pratt is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010 ext. 172 or[email protected]
