Tennessee man charged with attempted first-degree murder of police officer after Saturday night chase ends in Brown County

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — A Tennessee man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer after a police chase late Saturday night.

Daniel B. Payne, 29, of Greenbrier, Tenn., was arrested by agents from the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 4. He is lodged in the Schuyler County Jail.

ISP agents were requested to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred at approximately 11:14 p.m. Saturday on Illinois 107, just north of County Road 410N in Brown County. Preliminary information indicated a traffic stop was attempted by the Meredosia Police Department in Meredosia, and Payne fled from the traffic stop.

A pursuit ensued, involving multiple law enforcement agencies, led officers through Pike and Brown Counties. The pursuit ended when Payne’s vehicle crashed and became disabled. As officers approached Payne’s crashed vehicle, he fired upon and struck an officer of the Chapin Police Department. The officers returned fire, causing Payne to surrender, and he was taken into custody.

The injured officer, a 39-year-old male with seven years of service, sustained serious injuries. He is receiving treatment at an area hospital. Rex Brockhouse, president of the village of Chapin, said in a post on the village website that the officer’s name is being withheld. The website lists a chief, a sergeant and three officers — two males and a female.

Payne was transported to area hospitals for minor injuries from the crash and was released after being treated. He was then transported to the Schuyler County Jail.

The Brown County State’s Attorney’s Office set Payne’s bond at $1 million.