A man wanted after a Tennessee sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Wednesday during a traffic stop is in police custody, officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Friday.
Update 11:55 a.m. EDT June 1: A man wanted on suspicion of killing a Dickson County sheriff's deputy earlier this week was arrested without incident Friday morning after he was spotted by a Tennessee state trooper, officials said at a news conference.
Sgt. Daniel Baker, of the Dickson County Sheriff's Office, was shot and killed Wednesday morning after he went to check on a suspicious vehicle while on-duty. Authorities arrested a woman, identified as Erika Castro-Miles, on suspicion of murder after Baker’s death and launched a manhunt for Steven Wiggins.
Col. Derek Stewart, of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, said a trooper came across Wiggins on the edge of a wooded area off Stinson Road in Hickman County, near the Dickson County line. When the trooper realized the man that he approached matched Wiggins’ description, the trooper took him into custody, Stewart said.
“This has been a trying week for each of us,” Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe said. He choked up Friday while sharing a statement from the wife of the slain deputy.
“There are no words to describe the level of devastation that myself and my family are dealing with,” Lisa Baker said in the statement read by Bledsoe. She asked for the community’s help making sure that her daughter, Meredith, is always reminded of “how amazing and wonderful her father is.”
“His service and dedication to his country and community will always be remembered,” Lisa Baker said in the statement.
Wiggins was getting treatment after his arrest Friday for injuries that did not appear to be serious, authorities said. He will face one count of first-degree murder in Baker’s death, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Update 9:05 a.m. EDT June 1: Authorities confirmed around 9 a.m. that they had Steven Wiggins in custody.
Wiggins was previously identified as a suspect in the death of Sgt. Daniel Baker, of the Dickson County Sheriff's Office. Authorities said Baker was shot and killed after he went to check on a suspicious vehicle while on-duty early Wednesday. He was found dead inside a patrol vehicle, officials said.
Wiggins will face one count of first-degree murder in connecting to the shooting, according to TBI.
Erika Castro-Miles has also been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection Baker’s death.
Credit: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Credit: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
Original report: A Tennessee sheriff's deputy was shot and killed Wednesday during a traffic stop.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the Dickson County Sheriff's Office deputy was found dead in a patrol car. He had responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle.
>> Visit Fox13Memphis.com for the latest on this developing story
Sgt. Deputy Daniel Baker was identified by family as the deputy killed, according to the TBI.
The TBI said video evidence led to the identification of suspect Steven Wiggins. A massive manhunt is underway for him, and a $12,500 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Wiggins has been added to the TBI's top 10 Most Wanted list.
WHBQ has learned that Erika Castro-Miles has been arrested in connection with the slaying, according to TBI. She's charged with first-degree murder in the ongoing investigation into Baker's death.
WZTV obtained a background check for Wiggins. It shows a criminal history that includes arrests for kidnapping, domestic assault and resisting arrest.
Baker responded to the Sam Vineyard Road area around 7 a.m. for a suspicious vehicle call, according to WZTV. Police lost contact with the deputy. He was tracked via GPS, where he was found dead in his patrol car.
Read more here.
The Cox Media Group National Content Desk contributed to this report.
About the Author
