Jeremy Taylor Culp Obituary, Death – On Wednesday morning, the Texas Department of Public Safety identified the individual killed by police following a high-speed chase in Orange on Tuesday. The deceased has been named as 32-year-old Jeremy Taylor Culp, a resident of Bridge City and a U.S. Army veteran.
Funeral services for Culp are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, with visitation starting at noon before the service. He will be laid to rest at St. Mary Cemetery in Orange.
The incident began shortly before 9 a.m. on Tuesday when shots were reportedly fired outside Culp’s home on Oak Circle Street in Bridge City. Shortly thereafter, Culp left the area driving a white pickup truck and struck a Chambers County Constable deputy who was on a motorcycle escorting a heavy load over the Cow Bayou Bridge on eastbound Texas Highway 87. This incident occurred approximately two miles from Culp’s residence.
After the collision, Culp led law enforcement on a high-speed chase into Orange, which culminated about six miles later when his truck crashed into a utility pole at the intersection of Green Avenue and 15th Street. Culp exited the vehicle armed with a semi-automatic rifle. Initially, he complied with police orders to put down the weapon and lay on the ground. However, as officers approached, he seized the rifle and pointed it at them, prompting several officers to open fire, resulting in fatal injuries.
Sgt. Shana Clark from the DPS noted that the investigation is complex, involving multiple scenes and various law enforcement agencies. 12News has requested further details, including which specific agencies were involved, the number of officers on administrative leave, and whether the officer injured in the shooting was hit by a bullet or shrapnel.
“This is still a very active and ongoing investigation,” Clark stated, emphasizing that additional information will not be released until confirmed.
A witness at a nearby Ford dealership captured the shooting on video. In the footage, a school bus belonging to Orangefield ISD can be seen passing by the wrecked truck as officers surrounded the scene. Fortunately, no students were on the bus at the time; the driver was en route to pick up students attending career and technical classes in Orange.
Orangefield Superintendent Shaun McAlpin commented on the incident, stating, “Our driver saw it all go down and had to get out of the way of the speeding car. The bus driver observed the incident and followed standard procedure to get out of the way.”
Authorities have not yet determined Culp’s intentions, as the investigation remains in its early stages. However, it is known that he served in the U.S. Army from August 2010 until January 2013 as an infantryman in an airborne unit. According to Bryce Dubee from the Army’s Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, Culp was deployed to Afghanistan from February 2012 to August 2012 and held the rank of Private (E-1) upon his departure from the Army in 2013.
During his service, Culp earned several commendations, including the Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.
Although Culp’s family has chosen not to comment publicly at this time, neighbors have described the family as close-knit and kind.
As this story is still developing, updates will be provided as more confirmed information becomes available.