Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton says Deputy Deryk Collins sustained a gunshot wound to his left index finger while trying to apprehend a suspect Friday afternoon.
According to GBI Special Agent Craig Rotter, this was after the suspect escaped from a Centerville police officer's custody.
Craig Rotter/ GBI Special Agent:
"A Centerville Police Officer arrested somebody for shoplifting at the mall, was bringing the suspect to the police department, while the suspect was being taken out of the car, the suspect attacked the officer."
Rotter tells FOX24 News the suspect broke away from the officer and ran into the neighborhood behind the police department.
Rotter says another officer and Deputy Collins struggled with the suspect while trying to apprehend him.
Rotter says in the process, the suspect and Deputy Collins received gunshot wounds.
Rotter says the deputy's wound is not life threatening.