3 Texas men charged in cop-dragging incident

KILLEEN, Texas (AP) — Charges have been filed against three men in an SUV reportedly involved in dragging a police officer through a parking lot before he fatally shot the driver, a Fort Hood soldier.

Killeen police identified the driver as Pfc. Jarvis Galloway, 20, who died in the incident early Saturday.

Officer James Plank, who freed himself from the sport utility vehicle and fell to the ground after firing his gun, was placed on administrative leave.

He was treated at a hospital and released but continues recovering from his injuries, authorities said Monday.

Tamarcus Brown, 19, and Mario Jones, 23, each were charged with interference with the duties of a public servant. Averwenone Holman, 18, was charged with fleeing from a police officer. Holman and Jones also were charged with marijuana possession.

Brown was released from the Bell County Jail, but a spokeswoman refused to say when or reveal his bond amount. A phone number could not be located for Brown. Holman and Jones, both of Killeen, remained jailed Monday on bonds totaling $8,000. Jail records did not list attorneys for Holman and Jones.

Holman fled from the Killeen police officer who had gone to investigate a fight early Saturday in a nightclub parking lot, authorities said.

As Plank ran after him, Holman tried to jump through the passenger window of a Chevrolet Trailblazer, police said. Plank grabbed him around the waist as he was partially inside the vehicle, which began driving away as the officer’s arms were pinned, police said.

Plank was able to free one arm and fire at the driver. He continued to be dragged until he was able free his other arm. The vehicle continued through the parking lot, hitting a car and several handrails before crashing, authorities said.