AMARILLO, TEXAS -- Amarillo Special Crimes Unit is investigating two deadly police officer-involved shootings, both happening within 24 hours of each other.
"We had an officer involved shooting in the 400 block of South Western late Wednesday night and then of course yesterday (Thursday) afternoon we had another officer involved shooting in the 100 block of South Buchanan by the railroad tracks," said Lt. Erick Bohannon, Amarillo Special Crimes Unit.
Amarillo Police say two officers on Thursday afternoon were looking for 37-year old Edward Jay Browne in the 100 block of South Buchanan to arrest him on several warrants. Officers eventually tracked Browne down in that area and a foot chase ensued. After police say Browne ignored several commands to stop, the Police Department says Browne allegedly pulled a semi-automatic handgun from his waistband and pointed it at officers. That's when both shot and killed Browne. During the initial investigation by Special Crimes, it was determined that Browne pointed a replica of a black semi-automatic handgun at the officers.
Wednesday night, in the 400 block of South Western, 56-year old Jerry Etheridge was shot and killed by an officer after he and another man struggled with a gun. Etheredge reportedly refused to drop the gun and rolled it toward the officer. The officers involved in both cases, have been put on three days administrative leave, which is common policy.
"The chief will place the officers on 3 days administrative leave which is just standard department policy. Give them time to decompress from the events," said Lt. Bohannon.
He says both investigations could take up to several weeks.
"It will be presented to the District Attorney's for presentation for the grand jury and then once the grand jury proceedings are through then those officers will more than likely return to normal patrol duties," said Lt. Bohannon.
Preliminary autopsy results indicate both men died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest.
