North Carolina Fugitive Accused Of Killing A Deputy Finally Arrested

A North Carolina fugitive wanted in connection with the killing of a Carroll County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested following a two-day manhunt. Authorities said the suspect allegedly opened fire on two officers who had arrived at his home to conduct a welfare check. One of the deputies was killed in the shooting.

Michael Puckett, 55, was arrested around 8:30 p.m. May 31 in Mount Airy, located in Surry County. He was booked into the Surry County Detention Center.

According to the Wytheville Police Department, Puckett was spotted on a wildlife camera along Greenhill Road in Surry County on May 31. He was quickly taken into custody, ending an extensive two-day manhunt involving state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Authorities have not yet announced the charges Puckett will face. On May 29, at approximately 9:26 p.m., two deputies with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check request made by a family member.

When the deputies arrived at 13658 Fancy Gap Highway/U.S. 52, they encountered Puckett. Authorities said he immediately opened fire on the officers, who returned fire. Both deputies were struck during the exchange. Deputy Sheriff Logan Utt was killed in the shooting.

The second deputy was shot in his ballistic vest and transported for medical treatment. Details about the officer’s condition have not been released.

Authorities said the suspect fled the scene following the shooting. As the manhunt continued, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced a $60,000 reward, while the U.S. Marshals Service offered an additional $10,000 reward for information leading to Puckett’s capture.

After his arrest, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office thanked the state and federal agencies that assisted in the search.

The sheriff’s office described Utt as a “devoted husband, loving father, cherished family member, friend and respected member of our law enforcement community.”

The Mount Airy Rescue Squad also released a statement following Utt’s death. “Logan was more than a deputy. He was a dedicated public servant, a brother in emergency services, and a firefighter with the Mount Airy Fire Department. Throughout the years, our members have had the privilege of working alongside Logan on countless incidents, trainings, and community events. His commitment to serving others was evident in everything he did, and his impact on this community will never be forgotten,” the statement read.