DeKalb man pleads guilty, gets 50 years for shooting two deputies and injuring a third

Bryan Lee Batchelor
Bryan Lee Batchelor

NEW BOSTON, Texas-A DeKalb, Texas, man who shot two Bowie County sheriff's deputies, injured a third and rendered three patrol cars inoperable last year was sentenced to 50 years in prison Thursday as part of a plea bargain.

Bryan Lee Batchelor, 49, appeared Thursday morning before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell with Chief Public Defender Rick Shumaker. Bowie County Sheriff James Prince, Chief Deputy Jeff Neal and other members of the Bowie County Sheriff's Office filled the courtroom seats.

Batchelor entered pleas of guilty to three counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and a single count of evading arrest in a vehicle. Each of the assault charges included the possibility of a life sentence. Had the case gone to trial July 31 as scheduled, Batchelor could have received multiple life terms from a jury.

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First Assistant District Attorney Mike Shepherd and Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter entered copies of reports from the Texas Rangers, BCSO and DeKalb Fire Department to be filed with the case's record. Shepherd told the court that Batchelor's plea arrangement includes 50-year sentences on each of the assault charges and a 10-year sentence for evading arrest. All of the terms will run concurrently.

Batchelor apparently did not understand that the word "concurrently" means he will serve all four sentences simultaneously.

"That ain't what they told me," Batchelor complained. "They didn't say it was gonna be 50 and then another 10."

Shumaker explained to Batchelor that he will not serve more than 50 years, and the hearing continued.

Carter and Shepherd submitted copies of victim impact statements that may be considered by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles when Batchelor becomes eligible. The statements were not read in open court and are not public record.

Tidwell commented on the impact of Batchelor's one-night crime spree and respect for public servants.

"You made a decision that night that not only affected your life and your family's life, but the lives of those whose responsibility it is to protect the public," Tidwell said. "When they kiss their families goodbye, they never know how the day is going to end."

It was shortly after midnight Sept. 17 when deputies were called by the DeKalb Fire Department to a house engulfed with fire at 4640 Farm to Market Road 44 E., according to a probable-cause affidavit used to create the following account. The caller told dispatchers Batchelor had been talking about setting his house on fire and had followed through with the idea.

When DeKalb firefighters arrived, Batchelor pointed a rifle or shotgun at them and threatened to shoot if they extinguished the blaze.

Bowie County court records show no prior criminal history for Batchelor in the county. However, records do show that his wife, who is listed as co-owner of the burned house in property records, filed for a divorce in mid-August 2017.

When Bowie County deputies arrived shortly after midnight Sept. 17 to assist the fire department, Batchelor drove his 2014 Dodge pickup into a nearby field. He shot two deputies as he evaded them, and the deputies returned fire. A third deputy was injured when Batchelor drove his truck into the officer's patrol car.

In all, Batchelor is responsible for heavy damage to three patrol cars.

Batchelor was hospitalized for several days because of gunshots he suffered when deputies returned fire. The metal band on Batchelor's cowboy hat is thought to have spared him from what could have been a fatal shot to the head. All of the wounded deputies have recovered from their physical injuries.

"We are extremely thankful that no member of law enforcement lost his life at the hands of this dangerous felon," Shepherd said. "His violent behavior placed many others at risk, including his neighbors and the fire department. The deputies who were injured are in full agreement with the 50-year sentence."

Carter thanked the public servants for their service.

"Men and women in law enforcement, members of the local fire department and citizens of our county were placed in imminent danger at the hands of this defendant," Carter said. "We thank all involved not only for their daily service to the community, but also for the many hours dedicated to this investigation, which led to this resolution."

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