On January 23, 2022, Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy John Kile (former MP Captain; medically retired, Jun 2018) was conducting an early morning (hours of darkness) traffic stop. Though it could be considered routine, those of us in law enforcement know that there are no routine traffic stops.

Deputy Kile stopped the vehicle due to the vehicle weaving in and out of their lane of travel and driving 35mph in a 55mph zone. The driver of the vehicle did not pull over correctly the first time (he stopped in the middle of the street when turning right). The driver proceeded to turn back on to the road that he turned right off of and continued to drive.

Deputy Kile followed until the vehicle stopped, at which point the driver refused to place the vehicle in park. During this interaction between Deputy Kile and the driver of the stopped vehicle, Deputy Kile remained professional and respectful to the driver of the vehicle. The driver of the stopped vehicle had his hands out the driver’s side window at his own doing and was not instructed by Deputy Kile to do so. The driver did not have his driver’s license on him nor did he agree with Deputy Kile’s reason for the stop.

At this point, Deputy Kile asked the driver to step out of the vehicle in order to explain again why he stopped him. The driver initially did not want to exit the vehicle, but eventually agreed. Deputy Kile remained at the rear of the front driver’s side door about two feet from the vehicle. The driver asked to undo his seatbelt which Deputy Kile concurred with and then the driver started to breathe heavy and bent over inside the vehicle for a moment.

Concerned for the driver’s safety, Deputy Kile asked if the driver was okay and if he need medical assistance. The driver stated he was fine and then started talking about his vehicle being his home. As the driver started to act as if he were going to exit the vehicle, Deputy Kile asked what he had in his hand or vehicle at which time the driver stated nothing. Deputy Kile again started to ask what he had in his hand when the driver shot Deputy Kile in the chest.

Deputy Kile immediately turned away from the vehicle and started his way back to his patrol car calling in “Shots Fired” multiple times. The driver of the stopped vehicle drove off. Deputy Kile entered his vehicle and called back to dispatch with further information about the suspect’s location and his injury while starting to pursue the suspect.

The suspect stopped multiple times in the middle of the road during roughly a 20 minute pursuit at which time Deputy Kile exited his vehicle and yelled for the suspect to exit his vehicle. During the pursuit, Deputy Kile passed the ambulance that was dispatched for him. Local and surrounding county police laid stop strips to slow the vehicle. Upon the suspect’s vehicle hitting the stop strips, another Deputy was able to pit the suspect’s vehicle causing it to come to a stop directly in front of Deputy Kile’s patrol car. Deputy Kile exited his vehicle and yelled gun and fired one shot into the suspect’s vehicle.  The suspect dropped his weapon and was taken into police custody unharmed.

Deputy John Kile remained calm throughout this entire traffic stop and pursuit. He never degraded or cursed at the suspect. In the video, you can hear other Deputies cursing at the suspect, but Deputy Kile remained extremely professional given that he had been shot and had not received any medical attention.

Deputy Kile ensured that the suspect was in police custody before asking for any medical assistance. Deputy Kile’s vest stopped the 9mm round impacting the vest just below his ribs. Deputy Kile was transported to the hospital where he was evaluated and released after about four hours. He had some soft tissue damage and a burn from the round. After the event, Deputy Kile was on administrative leave and started K9 training on Sunday, January 30.

“These are all things that I know the MP Corps has instilled in me since joining back in 2003. I consider John a good friend of mine, but I am not sending this forward because he is my friend. I truly believe that the MP Corps and the Army helped shape the outcome of this situation. MPs throughout our Regiment should understand the importance of what they are learning and how it can save their lives and the lives of others,” said LTC Lance Fountain, Washington CID Battalion Commander.

LTC Fountain highlighted the facts that make this a good news story:

  • Deputy Kile survived the shooting
  • His equipment did its job (trust your equipment)
  • Adherence to policies and procedures (wear your vest)
  • Deputy Kile’s professionalism
  • Deputy Kile’s grit (never quit, he saw it through)
  • Deputy Kile’s loyalty to his county and fellow officers to ensure they understood the situation and what they were facing
  • Deputy Kile’s calm and cool-headed nature
  • Trust your training

*We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to LTC Lance Fountain, Washington CID Battalion Commander and COL Steve Yamashita, USAMPS Assistant Commandant for bringing this story to our attention and providing us with the details.*