Peoria County authorities have released the name of the deputy injured during a traffic stop on January 31st. Deputy Jack Evans, 24, was shot multiple times after a suspect fled on foot and opened fire during a pursuit. Evans, a decorated member of the Sheriff’s Office since 2023, remains in stable condition following surgery but faces a lengthy recovery. He sustained gunshot wounds to his legs and torso. The suspect, 51-year-old Larry D. Bell, was found in an abandoned building, suffered medical complications, and was later arrested on charges including attempted murder and armed violence. The Peoria Police Department continues to investigate. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact local authorities.
Sheriff Watkins said, “Deputy Evans has served with professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to public safety since the day he took his oath. He has already earned numerous awards in his time here at PCSO.” “We ask the community to keep Deputy Evans, his loved ones, and all first responders involved in their thoughts.”
A Peoria County Sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night in the 1000 block of S. Western Avenue. Authorities say a passenger fled the vehicle, firing multiple times and hitting a deputy twice. The deputy is hospitalized with serious injuries. The suspect, 51-year-old Larry D. Bell, was found two hours later in an abandoned building, where officers also recovered a handgun and illegal drugs. Peoria police officers arrested Bell following a series of incidents that began when he reportedly experienced seizures during the attempted arrest, leading to his transport to a local hospital. While being treated, authorities discovered illegal drugs on his person. Investigators secured a search warrant for an abandoned building linked to Bell and recovered a handgun at the scene. Bell faces multiple charges, including several counts of drug possession and distribution, aggravated battery with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, armed violence, and attempted murder.
Anyone with information regarding any violent crimes is encouraged to contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521, tip411 (anonymous), or Crime Stoppers at 309-673-9000.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.