Tennessee man formally charged for shooting police officer in Brown County

BROWN COUNTY, Ill. — A Tennessee man has been formally charged in the March shooting of a police officer in Brown County.

Daniel Payne of Greenbriar, Tennessee was charged with one Class X count of Attempted First Degree Murder of a Police Officer and will be in Brown County Circuit Court Wednesday for an appearance.

On March 27, Payne allegedly fled from Meredosia Police after a traffic stop. A high-speed chase ensued that led through Pike and Brown Counties before the car Payne was driving crashed on Illinois 107, seven miles south of Mount Sterling.

Chapin (Ill.) Police Chief Steven Helmich was shot as he was one of several officers who approached the crashed car. Payne allegedly opened fire on the officers before surrendering after officers returned fire.

Helmich was treated for the gunshot wounds at a Springfield hospital, where he spent nearly three weeks before being released.

Payne is in the Schuyler County Jail on $1 million bond.