MEDIA RELEASE

Temple Police Department and Texas Rangers conclude critical incident investigation

TEMPLE, TX (November 10, 2022) – On June 15, 2022, at approximately 8:59 a.m., a Temple Police officer attempted to arrest Anthony Turner, who was walking on the interstate. Multiple officers and agencies had responded to the area attempting to slow and stop traffic on the interstate.

The initial contact with Mr. Turner began at approximately 7:57 a.m. when officers were dispatched to investigate a suspicious subject. During the brief encounter and a short separation of the officer and Mr. Turner, it was learned there was an active warrant for Mr. Turner’s arrest.

During the second contact, Mr. Turner resisted arrest and evaded the officer on foot.

At approximately 8:44 a.m., Mr. Turner was observed walking northbound on the southbound side of Interstate 35, along the shoulder of the inside, center divider.

A Temple Police officer exited their vehicle at approximately 8:59 a.m., on the opposite (northbound) side of the interstate, directing but not discharging their taser towards Mr. Turner. At that time, Mr. Turner began moving west, entering the southbound lanes of traffic, where he was struck by a vehicle.

The officer immediately called for Emergency Medical Services and began performing CPR on Mr. Turner. Mr. Turner was transported to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Section 49.18 (d)(2) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a person is considered to be “in the custody of a peace officer” when they are:

1. Under arrest by a peace officer; or

2. Under the physical control or restraint of a peace officer

Because Mr. Turner was not under arrest or under the physical control or restraint of a police officer at the time of his death, the incident is not an in-custody death as defined by Texas law. To ensure the Department understood the events and circumstances that occurred during this dispatched call for service, Police Chief Shawn Reynolds requested that the Texas Department of Public Safety work the traffic accident while the Texas Rangers, in partnership with the Temple Police Department, investigated the interaction between police officers and Mr. Turner.

The investigation revealed that Mr. Turner had been staying with the party that made the original call for service. The caller told the investigator that Mr. Turner was supposed to get up and go to work on the morning of the accident, but he had been acting strangely, walking around the backyard and appeared to have been up all night. When the caller went to leave the residence and take Mr. Turner to work, they discovered that Mr. Turner had already left the residence. The caller stated that she then locked the doors and ensured the house was secure with younger teenagers present in the home. The caller stated that she did not want Mr. Turner in the residence because he had been acting strangely. When the caller received a phone call from the children at the residence, she called 911 to ensure that Mr. Turner knew he could no longer be at the residence at that time.

Upon a thorough review of the incident, the following has been determined:

The Texas Rangers found no criminal actions on the part of the Temple Police officers involved in the incident.

The Temple Police Department conducted an internal administrative review of the incident and determined that there were no violations of law or policy by any officers involved in the incident, as well.

The death investigation was submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for administrative review. Their review also concluded that there were no criminal violations on the part of the Temple Police officers.

The officer(s) acted in accordance with Temple Police Department policy and procedures and did not violate any local, state or federal laws. The Department’s administrative investigation has been closed.

There will be no modifications or changes to Department policy resulting this review.

The Temple Police Department met with the family of Mr. Turner twice, once at the onset of the investigation process and again on November 3, 2022, to discuss the results of the various investigations. At the request of the family, the Department’s investigation of this incident will remain closed. No further information will be released.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Mr. Turner’s family and loved ones.

Media Contact:

Kiara Nowlin

Communications and Public Relations Manager

(C) 254-770-8364

knowlin@templetx.gov