On 03-21-2013, Deputy James Boyd was on patrol on U.S. Hwy 287 in Montague County, Texas, where he observed a 1991 Cadillac 4 dr, black in color, bearing a Colorado License Plate southbound on U.S. Hwy 287 just south of F.M. 174. Deputy Boyd observed that the driver of the vehicle was travelling in the left (inside) lane. This area is mark as “Left lane for passing only”. 

Deputy Boyd conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at U.S. Hwy 287 just south of State Hwy 59. He made a passenger-side approach to the violator’s vehicle. As Deputy Boyd approached the front passenger window of the vehicle, the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle fired at deputy four times. The shooter was armed with a 9mm handgun. One round struck Deputy Boyd in the chest. The deputy was wearing a ballistic vest. The round struck the trauma plate of the vest, travelled towards the right side of Deputy Boyd’s chest and penetrated his uniform pocket and embedded into his cellular telephone that was in the pocket. Another round entered his uniform winter jacket and passed through his right shoulder uniform epaulet.  This round did not strike Deputy Boyd’s body.

Another round struck Deputy Boyd in the left forehead just off center and near the hair line. This round caused him to fall to the ground and lose conciseness. The fourth round had missed Deputy Boyd completely.

Deputy Boyd had regained consciousness within 30 seconds. He then realized that he needed to get help. Deputy Boyd was able to use his hand-held radio and call for assistance and was able to broadcast the description and direction of the suspect’s vehicle.  Based on that broadcast, a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper, and several Wise County Sheriff’s Office Deputies had caught up with the vehicle. The suspect led officers on a high speed pursuit into Decatur Texas, where he crashed his vehicle. The suspect engaged the officers in a shoot-out where he was mortally wounded. 

Deputy Boyd was flown by Care-Flight to Harris Methodist Hospital in Ft. Worth where he underwent surgery for a penetrating gunshot wound to the head. The surgeon was able to remove bullet and bone shrapnel from the left frontal lobe of the brain. Doctors had installed a titanium plate to the surgery site. 

On 3-26-2013, Deputy Boyd was transferred to the Texas Rehabilitation Hospital in Ft. Worth, where he will remain for an undetermined amount of rehabilitation. From there he will be receiving services as an out-patient. Deputy Boyd is expected to make a full recovery and return to his duties as a Deputy with the Montague County Sheriff’s Office. 
On 3-31-2013, Deputy Boyd will be discharged from the Texas Rehabilitation Hospital in Ft. Worth and will rejoin his Law Enforcement family in Montague.
Investigators were able to link the suspect, Evan Ebel to the murder of Tom Clements, the Director of the Department of Corrections for Colorado, and to Nathan Leon, a Domino’s pizza delivery man in Denver Colorado. Thanks to the efforts and dedication of Deputy Boyd, he was able to ensure the interruption and stoppage of a prolific murderer on a multi-state killing spree, despite his critical wound. 
