Police Officer Brian Steven Gregg

Brian Steven Gregg

Police Officer Brian Gregg was shot and killed after a prisoner was able to gain possession of his partner's service weapon at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Officer Gregg and his partner were guarding a suspect who had been arrested earlier in the evening for drunk driving and had been taken to the hospital to undergo blood and urine tests. While in the emergency room, the prisoner began to struggle with Officer Gregg and a second officer. He gained control of the second officer's service weapon and opened fire, striking Officer Gregg in the chest.

The prisoner also shot the second officer in the chest and wounded a hospital technician. The prisoner then walked up to Officer Gregg who was on the ground, and shot him in the head, killing him.

The prisoner fled the emergency room and was located approximately one hour later hiding in a car in the hospital's parking garage. He was taken into custody and charged with one count of capital murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was found guilty and sentenced to death on November 17th, 2006.

Officer Gregg had just started as a full-time officer after serving as a part-time officer with the 4-person department for one year. Officer Gregg is survived by his wife and 4-year-old son.

In April 2014, Newton Bypass was renamed Officer Gregg Memorial Bypass, from South State Street to Durham Road.