Bobby Michael Dennis, wanted in connection with the Sunday shooting of a Jacksonville police officer, was apprehended Wednesday evening just outside the city.

His bonds, set by Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy, total $1.3 million. Dennis was taken into custody around 8:30 p.m.

Jacksonville Police Chief Steven Markasky said “multiple law enforcement agencies assisted the Jacksonville Police Department in serving a search warrant at a property on County Road 3509, just west of the Jacksonville city limits, for the apprehension of Bobby Michael Dennis. Dennis was immediately located in a wooded area and surrendered to law enforcement.”

Dennis is charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer, a first-degree felony; interference with a police service animal, a state jail felony; and two counts of obstruction and retaliation, third-degree felonies.

Dennis was the subject of a manhunt after shooting at a Jacksonville police officer Sunday night. The officer was struck in her arm and leg and was airlifted to a Tyler hospital, where she has undergone at least two surgeries, according to police, and is in stable condition.

Addressing Dennis’ capture, Markasky said it couldn’t have been any better.

“I don’t mean that just for the men and women that work for me and the men and women that were helping me, but for the suspect himself, for his family, for his friends,” he said. “Respectfully, this was the best way it could have ended and I’m glad it did.”

Markasky said a bunker-like structure was found in the woods near where Dennis was located.

“In that bunker we did find a 9-millimeter pistol,” he said.

Markasky said footage from the body camera would not be released to the public at this time out of respect for his injured officer.

“I understand that the community would probably like to see the video, but I can tell you that we didn’t shoot at any citizen. We didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “I don’t have to make that social media content.

“I have not had time to be on Facebook, but obviously I hear what’s going on,” Markasky said in response to a question regarding posts on social media. “My job is to produce facts, which is what I’ve done this whole time.

“She was not sent by anybody in my office to go serve a warrant. She was doing really good police work because she’s a really good officer. She knew he had a warrant. She moseyed by the address. He was there. She got out because she’s not a coward.”

Markasky said a call to the injured officer was the first he made following the arrest. He also said he used that officer’s handcuffs when making the arrest.

Considering where Dennis was found, the chief said he believes Dennis had help. He said if the investigation leads to anyone who helped Dennis, charges would be forthcoming.

“Following multiple days of extensive investigative efforts, numerous agencies worked together to bring this case to a safe resolution,” Markasky said. “The Jacksonville Police Department would like to extend our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your tireless dedication, teamwork and support throughout this investigation.

“We extend our sincerest gratitude to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Ranger Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife – Law Enforcement Division, ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals, Kilgore Police Department, Bullard Police Department, Tyler Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Department, Jacksonville Fire and EMS and multiple other supporting agencies.”

The chief said Dennis had two active felony warrants for obstruction and retaliation and local law enforcement agencies had been seeking him since early October. He said the injured officer was on patrol when she spotted Dennis in his yard. She pulled over and walked around the property after observing Dennis move into his backyard.

Markasky said the officer called Dennis by name and, at that moment, saw Dennis holding an AR-15 rifle. Seeing the weapon, the officer attempted to retreat, first taking cover behind her police unit. Multiple rounds of fire struck the vehicle and the K-9 partner Renzo, still inside the vehicle, was also struck by the gunfire.

Seeking better cover, the officer ran toward a nearby residence and was shot in the arm, falling to the ground. She got to her feet and continued running, reaching a nearby treeline, where she fell again while calling for backup. Markasky said she was struck in the leg by another bullet but was able to maneuver further into the woods. Responding officers arrived, applying two additional tourniquets to the one the officer had applied to herself.

During the Tuesday press conference, Markasky emphasized the officer did not draw or discharge her weapon, nor was the police dog deployed from the vehicle.

K-9 Renzo was transported to and treated at an emergency vet in Tyler.

Governor Gregg Abbot initially offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Dennis. That reward was later increased to $21,000.