MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop D Headquarters, 3131 East Kearney Street, Springfield, Missouri 65803


News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Jason M. Pace
417-895-6868
D322014
November 2, 2014

EMPHASIS: Patrol Investigates Fatal Shooting Of Deputy In Cedar County

On November 2, 2014, at approximately 12:21 a.m., a deputy with the Cedar County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop the driver of a vehicle near the intersection of U.S. 54 and MO 82 in El Dorado Springs for a traffic violation. The vehicle failed to yield and a short vehicle pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, a passenger exited the vehicle at the intersection of Hickory and High Streets in El Dorado Springs and fled on foot. The deputy then exited his vehicle and a foot chase ensued, leading to a physical altercation and exchange of gunfire. As a result, Cedar County Deputy Matthew Chism, age 25, was critically injured and transported to Cedar County Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Springs, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 1:23 a.m. The suspect who fled from the vehicle, William A. Collins, a 28- year-old man from El Dorado Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene by Cedar County Coroner Bill Neale. The vehicle involved in the pursuit was located at a residence in El Dorado Springs and a second 28-year-old El Dorado Springs man was taken into custody for questioning regarding the incident.
At the request of Cedar County Sheriff Leon Dwerlkotte, the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control will conduct the ongoing investigation.

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