JASPER COUNTY, Texas — A wreck on Farm-to-Market Road 252, near County Road 298 in Jasper County kills an off-duty Jasper Police officer.
44-year-old Christopher Sherer was pronounced dead by medical staff at Jasper Memorial Hospital, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety news release.
The wreck happened on Friday, April 5, 2024 around 1 p.m. The crash investigation shows that a 2013 Ram 1500 was traveling south, according to the release.
DPS reports that for an unknown reason, Sherer went across the northbound lane and into the west ditch, where he sideswiped a tree and hit another one head-on, causing the Ram to overturn.
Sherer was brought to Jasper Memorial Hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.
Sherer was a devoted family man and he leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
Jasper Interim Police Chief Mike Poindexter tells 12News that Sherer has been a Jasper officer for a year and a half. He's been in law enforcement for 15 years.
Chief Poindexter tells 12News the department is grieving their former officer. They're heartbroken to have to continue serving the community without one of their best officers on the street.
Sherer was also a School Resource Officer at Jasper Independent School District's Parnell Elementary. He was formerly a police officer is Kirbyville.
"As a school resource officer it takes a special kind of person to do that job and he loved it. He loved the kids, the kids loved him. He was very good at his job. If you needed Chris Sherer, he'd show up and he didn't leave until it was done. Give his family some time and some space to grieve. Keep the family in your prayers, and keep the department in your prayers. Very good guy," Chief Poindexter said.
"Today Jasper lost a great man. We are forever grateful we had an officer like Sherer influencing our students," Jasper ISD Superintendent John Seybold said in a statement.
DPS is investigating the crash and what led up to it.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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