April 15th, 2021 - Burleson, Texas

Published April 15th, 2021

A Burleson (TX) police officer is recovering at home after being shot three times, once in his ballistic-resistant vest, during a traffic stop on Wednesday.

Officer Joshua Lott was released from JPS Hospital in Fort Worth at 6 p.m. Thursday, about 38 hours after he was shot in the neck, just below the shoulder, and in the chest. According to Burleson Police, Jerry Don Elders fired several rounds at Officer Lott after he pulled over the SUV Elders was driving and approached the passenger window.

Investigators believe Elders then went on to carjack a Burleson woman, who was shot and killed. Elders was arrested in Gainesville after a nine-hour manhunt Wednesday. He is currently being held in jail on a $1 million bond facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault against a public servant.

Burleson Police Chief Billy Cordell said Officer Lott’s bulletproof vest may have helped save his life, and the department is very thankful he’s going to be okay.