Reward Now $21,000 in Manhunt for Suspect Accused of Ambushing Officer — Court Records Show He Filed a Lawsuit Days Before Shooting

Rita Shipp
Nov 5, 2025
3 min read

**Bobby Michael Dennis, wanted by Jacksonville Police.**

JACKSONVILLE, Texas — The reward for information leading to the arrest of Bobby Michael Dennis, 64, is now $21,000, as the manhunt continues following what Jacksonville Police describe as a targeted, intentional ambush on a police officer and her K-9 partner on Sunday.

The reward consists of:

$10,000 from Governor Greg Abbott’s Public Safety Office
$10,000 from an anonymous donor
At least $1,000 from Cherokee County Crime Stoppers

Dennis is considered armed and dangerous.

TIMELINE OF THE AMBUSH

(Based on Jacksonville Police Chief Steven Markasky’s briefing.)

➤ Late afternoon, Sunday — Officer patrols Churchill Street

An officer on routine patrol sees Bobby Michael Dennis outside a residence. Dennis already had two outstanding warrants for obstruction and retaliation and had been wanted since early October.

➤ Officer calls out to Dennis by name

Dennis moves behind the residence. When the officer calls out again, he returns holding an AR-15 style rifle.

➤ Opening gunfire

Dennis opens fire without warning.

The officer takes cover behind her patrol vehicle, where her K-9 partner Renzo is secured inside. Rounds pierce the vehicle.

➤ Officer attempts to escape

Realizing the patrol unit offers no protection, she tries to reach a nearby house for cover.

Dennis fires again.

She is shot in the arm and falls.

➤ Dennis continues shooting

Even after she falls to the ground, Dennis continues firing — and she is struck a second time, in the leg.

➤ Injured officer runs into the woods

Despite being hit twice, the officer runs toward a tree line.

With one functioning arm, she applies her own tourniquet while calling for backup. Responding officers apply two additional tourniquets and she is airlifted to Tyler.

She underwent surgery and is in stable condition.

➤ K-9 Renzo injured

Renzo is hit by gunfire that entered the vehicle. He was transported to an emergency veterinary clinic and is recovering.

OFFICIAL STATEMENTS

Chief Markasky described the attack as:

“A targeted, intentional attack on a uniformed police officer for doing her job.”

He added:

“Our community should be outraged. She did nothing wrong.”

LAWSUIT FILED BY DENNIS 11 DAYS BEFORE SHOOTING

Court records confirm that 11 days before the ambush, Dennis filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville Municipal Court and several officials, seeking injunctive relief.

The case was dismissed on October 22, 2025 after Dennis failed to pursue it further. The federal judge dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice for failure to prosecute.

The timing of the lawsuit — followed by the ambush — highlights escalating tension between Dennis and local authorities leading up to the shooting.

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Dennis is described as:

Black male
5’9”
152 lbs
Brown eyes, black hair

He may be driving a gray 2012 GMC Sierra, Texas license plate TRW3919.

He is wanted on:

Aggravated assault against a public servant
Interference with a police service animal
Two counts of obstruction/retaliation (pre-existing warrants)

His criminal history includes aggravated robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft of a firearm, unlawful carrying of a weapon, and assault causing bodily injury to a family member.