Tupelo Police Officer Dies After Bank Heist Gun Fight

Cpl. Gale Stauffer, 38
Tupelo police officer killed in the line of duty.

TUPELO, Miss (WCBI) – Tupelo Police Chief Bart Aguirre confirmed Cpl. Gale Stauffer, 38, died from gunshot wounds after a bank robbery Monday afternoon. 

Officers responded to a bank robbery in progress about 3:15 PM at the Gloster Creek branch of BancorpSouth on South Gloster Street.

At a press conference, Aguirre said officers were confronted by at least one suspect when a shootout occurred near the intersection of Gloster and Carnation. Stauffer and another unidentified Tupelo officer were wounded. The 26 year-old officer was listed in critical condition Monday evening.

Investigators say they are looking for multiple suspects, who fled the scene. The suspects are possibly driving a white Yukon and/or a gray Dodge Stratus.

Surveillance video released to the media shows a black male, approximately 6′ 3″, wearing a Carhartt hoodie, blue jeans, and a ski mask. The robber was armed with at least one gun. Police say there were multiple shell casings at the scene.

Tupelo police became aware of the officer being shot after a citizen used the injured officer’s police radio to call in an “officer down” distress call.

If you have any information about this crime, call Crime Stoppers at 800-773-TIPS (8477). The suspects are considered armed and extremely dangerous.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to arrest of the suspects.

Tupelo police, Lee County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Marshals, and the FBI are all investigating the deadly bank robbery.