Authorities ID man shot by Burnet police officer

UPDATE: Burnet Police Department has identified the officer involved in the shooting as Patrol Sergeant Russell Butler. Butler was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. He has been with the police department for three years and was just recently promoted to patrol sergeant, according to a Burnet PD statement released on March 29.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

Authorities identified a man shot by a Burnet police officer, responding to a noise complaint call, as a 25-year-old father of one from Bertram.

Brandon Michael Jacque died after suffering gunshot wounds in an incident called into dispatchers around 1:35 a.m. March 27, in the 300 block of South McNeil Street.

Burnet Police Chief Paul Nelson confirmed the victim's name on March 28, following a medical examiner's preliminary report and official notification of next of kin.

Nelson said the investigation is being handled by the Texas Rangers in cooperation with the 33rd/424th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Nelson said the officer, who has been on the force for three years, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The release of the officer's identity is pending.

According to the police report, the officer responded to the scene “in reference to a loud music call,” Nelson said in a press conference the same day of the incident.

Officers approached a red car – subsequently identified as a Mercedes – which was occupied by Jacque and a female passenger.

“[T]he driver started backing up. The officer was giving verbal commands to stop,” Nelson said. “The officer started retreating. At which time, the vehicle came forward towards the officer.

“At that time the officer's left foot was run over by the vehicle,” he added. “The officer then shot his weapon, striking the driver of the vehicle.”

Nelson said the officer attempted to revive the victim. . .

Find more on the investigation in the Friday, March 29 and April 2 issues of The Highlander, the newspaper of record for the Highland Lakes. To offer a comment or news tip, email lew@highlandernews.com and connie@highlandernews.com.