JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Reverend Charles Brown says Jackson Police Officer Rodney Daniels was searching for a man who tried to rob an elderly lady, just before he was shot Saturday morning.
Brown, a member of the Jackson Guardian Angels, followed behind the officer.
Daniels stopped a man, later identified as Christopher Martin, 26. After what Brown described as a brief chase, the two men started to struggle on the sidewalk of Capitol Street, between Fredrica Street and Lexington Avenue.
He says at least five shots were fired.
At the scene of the shooting Brown described what he saw, "Right here in this gravel is where the shooting and everything took place when Officer Daniels was struck. He was able to run from there to right here and lay down on his stomach, not knowing that he had been shot. He laid down right here on his stomach, sited in on suspect, got off about three or four rounds."
Brown says the suspected gunman avoided the gunfire and ran into nearby Cedar Lawn Cemetery for cover.
"Suspect got off in graveyard and got up behind tombstones and reloaded his weapon and began to fire more multiple rounds at the other officers."
Brown drove his car around to block the injured Daniels from more gunfire.
"You couldn't tell if he was shot or anything because he kept his composure and manned it up and just tried to go ahead and take the suspect down the best way that he could."
Brown says everything happened so fast, all he could do is react.
However, it did bother him to see his friend injured.
"He's like a brother from another mother to me. I've known him for many, many years, and I would have did it for any other officer of JPD," says Brown.
Brown says Daniels was shot just below the knee in his left leg.
Daniels had surgery Saturday and is expected to recover.
Copyright 2012 WLBT. All rights reserved.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
