The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 03:01 PM
Manhunt Continues For Murder Suspect in Killing Of Dickson County Deputy- Woman Charged With Murder
Authorities said she's an acquaintance of the man they are searching for: 31-year-old Steven Wiggins. The TBI has finalized an arrest warrant, charging Wiggins with first degree murder in connection to the death of a Dickson County deputy.
The manhunt for Wiggins began after a Dickson County deputy was found dead in a patrol car at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Sgt. Daniel Baker was responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle on Sam Vineyard Road.
In a statement released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, it was revealed that Baker failed to check in after responding to a call about a suspicious car and attempts were made to track him and his vehicle, via GPS. Another officer later discovered the Sgt. Baker dead inside his patrol car, about two miles away from the initial call, off of Bear Creek Valley Road.
The TBI said that, based on video evidence and other information, Wiggins was determined to be "the individual responsible for the deputy's death."
According to WTVF, law enforcement had dealings with Wiggins before, as recent as Tuesday when he was allegedly charged with aggravated assault and vehicle theft in Kingston Springs. A police report obtained by WTVF said that officers were called to a home after a woman was assaulted.
The report stated that Wiggins had allegedly slapped the woman and pulled her hair before saying he would kill her if she called the police. He fled in her car, the report continued. According to the victim of Tuesday's incident said Wiggins had been "doing meth all night" and smoking marijuana. It's unclear if that woman is Casto-Miles.
The TBI issued a Tennessee Blue Alert, and said Wiggins may be on foot and should be considered armed and dangerous. At the press conference, the TBI said they cannot speak "to any specifics" about how Sgt. Baker died, but the Bledsoe County Sheriff said that he was "murdered with a weapon." At this point, it's unclear if Sgt. Baker knew Wiggins.
Authorities are still on scene at areas related to the incident gathering evidence, the TBI said. Witnesses are still being interviewed as well.
Wiggins was also placed on the TBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list. Authorities said there was a reward of up to $12,500 for information leading to his arrest. They could not confirm whether Wiggins was on foot or in a vehicle.
The Dickson County Sheriff said they were heartbroken, but determined to find Wiggins.
“It is my prayer to God that our court will be a terror to him [suspect] on the punishment he receives,” the sheriff said.
Sgt. Baker was a 32-year-old Marine veteran who joined the military in 2004. He was recognized several times for his brave actions. In 2013, he helped rescue a woman who was trapped under water after her truck flipped in a creek. Then in March, Sgt. Baker chased after a drunken gunman and detained the suspect. He leaves behind a wife and a daughter and had been with the sheriff's office since 2008.
At a news conference, the Dickson County Sheriff spoke about Sgt. Daniel Baker. "He's one of the guys who put his life on the line everyday," the sheriff said.
