Sheriff says deputy in fair condition after being shot in head

Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley said Sunday morning that deputy Jamie White, shot above the left eye early Saturday evening, is in fair condition following surgery at Midtown Medical Center in Columbus. “Fortunately, the bullet did no brain damage,” Jolley said.

An arrest has been made in the case, with 24-year-old Joe Garrett turning himself into police in Phenix City.

Garrett is being held in the Russell County Jail and is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and as a fugitive from justice.

Jolley said Garrett will be handed over to Harris County authorities on Monday.

Jolley said he would contact Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr about housing Garrett in the Muscogee County Jail since the case involves a Harris County officer.

“We had some good leads on him and he probably figured it was the safest thing for him to do,” Jolley said of Garrett’s surrender.

A woman, Lytishia Horace, was also arrested in the case and is in the Russell County Jail.

About the incident, Jolley said Garrett was in a Chevrolet Caprice with two women. White stopped the vehicle near the 30-mile marker and was fired upon.

“He was stopping the car for speeding,” Jolley said.

White has been with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for two years.

“He is a good officer. His father is a retired Troup County deputy,” Jolley said. “His family did not want him in this job but he said it is in his blood.”

Jolley said that in his 24 years in office this is the first Harris County officer to be shot in the line of duty.

This story was originally published May 29, 2016 at 12:34 PM with the headline "Sheriff says deputy in fair condition after being shot in head."