West Texas Deputy Remembered for Dignity, Integrity

BIG LAKE, Texas (AP) _ A West Texas deputy fatally shot last week has been remembered as a man of dignity and integrity at a packed funeral.

Mourners filled First Baptist Church in Big Lake on Wednesday to honor Reagan County sheriff’s Deputy Josh Mitchell.

Pastor Bryan Bitner said the 26-year-old became a lawman while still in high school and “could wrestle you down, handcuff you, and by the time you got to the jail, be your best friend.”

The San Angelo Standard Times reports that others remembered Mitchell as someone who enjoyed farming, ranching, jewelry-making and baking.

Mitchell was killed Aug. 1 after he went to talk to 42-year-old Marcus Wade Madison about a complaint. Madison, who surrendered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a 17-hour standoff, died in a hospital Tuesday.

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