Grand jury to review shooting
Preliminary autopsy report on former Lufkin police detective considered inconclusive

An autopsy report on the death of Allan Lee Wallace, 50, of 208 Walnut St., Lufkin, has been received by Justice of Peace Teresa Phifer, Pct. 2.

The incident is still under investigation by Texas Ranger Rudy Flores. Ranger Flores said the matter will be presented to a Cherokee County Grand Jury when the investigation is completed. "The report that Judge Phifer has is a preliminary report and a more intense autopsy report will be presented to the Grand Jury," Ranger Flores said.

Sheriff James Campbell said Friday he expected the two deputies, Martin Peppin and Darrell Schimnowski, to be no-billed by the grand jury. One officer has returned to work and the other is still on administrative leave, the sheriff said. "There is nothing wrong, but one officer just needed a little more time," Sheriff Campbell said.

Mr. Wallace, a former Lufkin police detective, died at approximately 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at Sardis Cemetery, CR 2218.

The autopsy report said the cause of death was from contact gunshot wound to the head associated with multiple distant range gunshot wounds. Manner of death was undetermined because no one knows which shot killed Mr. Wallace.

The report was signed by Amy C. Cruszecki, D.O, medical examiner at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas.

Mr. Wallace's family had called the Cherokee County Sheriff's office earlier in the day on Sept. 17 to ask for assistance. They feared he was going to his mother's grave at the cemetery to commit suicide.

When an officer arrived at the cemetery he found Mr. Wallace's truck parked across CR 2218 with the door open and the keys still in the ignition.

Mr. Wallace called to the officer while sitting in a canvas chair, facing his mother's grave. A handgun was at his feet. Another officer arrived and the two deputies tried to soothe Mr. Wallace.

During this time, Mr. Wallace picked up his pistol and aimed it toward the deputies, Sheriff Campbell said.

Shots were fired, the man was wounded and the officers unhurt.

An EMS ambulance and helicopter were called to the scene, and Mr. Wallace was pronounced dead before arriving at the hospital.