Callaway County deputy who was shot now on light duty

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

One of the two Callaway County Sheriff’s deputies who were shot on Interstate 70 last month is back to work.

Cpl. Justin Bax and Deputy Gardner Pottorff were shot on Oct. 14 during an exchange of gunfire with a Texas man, previous reporting indicates. The sheriff’s office wrote on its Facebook on Monday that Bax is now on light duty.

“The Callaway County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that Corporal Justin Bax returned to light duty today, marking his first day back on duty since the shooting on Interstate 70 exactly 28 days ago. Corporal Bax’s progress has been steady, and we are encouraged by his recovery and dedication to serving the community,” the post reads.

The sheriff’s office wrote that Potter is still recovering at home. Pottorff was released from University Hospital on Oct. 29. Bax was released just two days after the shooting.

A Texas man, Jonathan Beason, was killed during an exchange of gunfire, according to an Oct. 14 press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Beason had multiple felony warrants, the sheriff’s office said.

The shooting is being investigated by the MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control, previous reporting says. When the investigation is complete, the case file will be forwarded to the Callaway County prosecuting attorney, previous reporting says.