A funeral service for Elijah Garretson, the 27-year-old Copperas Cove Police Department officer who lost his life last weekend in the line of duty, will be held Saturday at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton at 10 a.m.
On Jan. 10, Garretson was killed by a gunshot from Jamison Wade Cavazos, a 26-year-old Lampasas resident who then took his own life after negotiations failed with law enforcement officers.
The incident occurred in the late evening Saturday at the intersection of Great Hills Drive and Lost Trail, which lies within Copperas Cove city limits. Garretson was on the scene responding to reports of a suspicious individual in the area, officials said. He and two other police officers attempted to arrest Cavazos when a tussle ensued.
Cavazos allegedly then fired at Garretson and fled the scene. He later was discovered by law enforcement officers.
Garretson was transported to AdventHealth Central Texas in Killeen where he was pronounced deceased.
Sgt. Bryan Washko of the Texas Department of Public Safety said the incident remains under investigation by Texas Rangers.
Previously, former 27th District Court Judge John Gauntt had denied requests from the Lampasas County District Attorney’s office to place Cavazos in jail. Cavazos had an arrest record that dates back to 2020.
Cavazos was arrested in Lampasas County on Dec. 8, 2020, by the Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office and charged with engaging in organized criminal activity.
Lampasas County Attorney Jessica Guy told the Dispatch Record in an email statement that Cavazos was placed on deferred adjudication probation by Gauntt for the first offense of engaging in organized criminal activity on Aug. 27, 2021.
Guy’s office filed its first motion to adjudicate the probation in 2022.
“At that time, the state requested he be adjudicated and sentenced to the penitentiary; however, the court continued Mr. Cavazos on probation and ordered him to attend drug treatment,” Guy said. “In 2023, my office filed another motion to adjudicate his probation; again, the state requested he be adjudicated, but the court continued him on probation and ordered additional drug treatment.”
Guy’s office filed a third motion to adjudicate the probation in 2025. On Nov. 7, Cavazos pleaded true to an allegation of driving while intoxicated in Coryell County during the motion to adjudicate hearing, Guy said.
“He was set for sentencing on Jan. 9, 2026, but he failed to appear,” the Lampasas County attorney added. “The court [which now is headed by Judge Debbie Garrett, who took office last January] ordered a warrant be issued for his arrest.”
OFFICER REMEMBERED
Garretson was a native of New Hampshire, where he joined the U.S. Army and became a cavalry scout for seven years. He joined the Copperas Cove Police Department in 2025.
A candlelight vigil also has been organized in remembrance of Garretson. That event is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at Ogletree Gap Preserve.
“The Copperas Cove Police Department is grateful for the continued support shown to Officer Garretson’s family and our department during this difficult time as we honor his life, service and sacrifice,” the CCPD said in a news release.
