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Zachary Johnson

Age : 32

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 08/21/2024

Location : Saltillo Boat Ramp, Tennessee River

City : Chester County

County : Chester

State : Tennessee

Agency : Chester County Sheriff’s Office; McNairy County Sheriff’s Office; Hardin County Sheriff’s Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Driver drowned during police pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/21/2024, Zachary Johnson, 32, died in the Tennessee River after an approximately hour-long police pursuit that began in Chester County and continued through McNairy County into Hardin County. At approximately 9:15 a.m., a Chester County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop Johnson near Henderson after observing his vehicle allegedly being driven recklessly. Johnson continued driving while the deputy pursued.
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According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Johnson briefly stopped during the pursuit and allegedly pointed a weapon at Chester County deputies. Deputies fired their weapons at Johnson. TBI alleged that Johnson then drove away and subsequently fired from his vehicle in the direction of pursuing law enforcement. Multiple agencies joined the pursuit as it crossed from Chester County through McNairy County and into Hardin County.
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At approximately 10:15 a.m., Johnson drove down the Saltillo Boat Ramp and entered the Tennessee River. Law-enforcement officers followed him into the water in an attempt to take him into custody. TBI alleged that Johnson again displayed a weapon while in the river and did not comply with officers’ commands. Johnson then went underwater and did not resurface.
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Authorities conducted an extensive search of the Tennessee River using boats and a helicopter. Johnson’s body was recovered from the river several hours later and transported to Nashville for autopsy. Contemporary local reporting described the death as an apparent drowning.
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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation investigated the shootings and circumstances surrounding Johnson’s death at the request of 26th Judicial District Attorney General Jody Pickens. The investigation included evidence collection and interviews and was to be submitted to the district attorney for review.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND
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The involved law-enforcement officers have not been publicly identified.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://wreg.com/news/man-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting-in-tn/
https://www.wbbjtv.com/2024/08/22/investigation-continues-following-cross-county-pursuit-that-left-one-dead/
https://www.wbbjtv.com/2024/08/21/suspect-dead-after-police-pursuit-ends-at-tennessee-river/
https://tbinewsroom.com/2024/08/21/tbi-agents-investigating-chester-county-officer-involved-shooting/
https://www.wsmv.com/2024/08/21/police-pursuit-ends-with-suspects-vehicle-tennessee-river/