Bulverde man accused of firing weapon, striking Comal County deputy identified

Garrett Cooke charged, identified by Sheriff's Office

BULVERDE, Texas – A Bulverde man accused of firing his weapon and striking a Comal County deputy has been identified by the Sheriff’s Office.

Garrett Cooke, 22, has been charged with a first-degree felony for aggravated assault against a public servant, deputies said.

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Cooke was still at University Hospital in San Antonio, listed in stable condition Saturday evening. Deputies said he will be transferred to the county jail upon his release from the hospital. Cooke's bail has been set by a county magistrate at $1 million.

The officer who was shot has been identified by the Sheriff's Office as Deputy Martin Ferguson, 35.

Deputies said Ferguson has been with the Sheriff's Office since 2014. Prior to that, he served as an officer with another agency in Texas and is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Ferguson was released from the hospital at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Deputies said he is expected to make a full recovery thanks to the first responders from the Bulverde/Spring Branch Emergency Medical Services, AirLife and the medical staff at University Hospital.

Ferguson will be on paid administrative leave until he is able to return to full duty, deputies said.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing by the Bulverde Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers, deputies said.

As part of the investigation, deputies said Cooke's father, identified as Nelson Cooke, 61, was arrested Friday for tamper/fabricate physical evidence with intent to impair, a third-degree felony. He was booked into the county jail and his bail was set at $500,000, deputies said.


About the Author:

Troy Blevins is a Digital Content Editor who has been with Graham Media Group since 2012.