The man charged with shooting and killing police officer Daniel Baker in Tennessee was taken to jail locked into the handcuffs of the man he’s accused of murdering.
Steven Joshua Wiggins, 31, was captured on Friday. Police believe he spent the two days after the murder hiding in the bush.
He was arrested by a new trooper, who had been passing by when he saw Wiggins by the wood line and recognized his tattoos, Lieutenant Colonel Dereck Stewart told reporters following the arrest.
Wiggins was taken to hospital in Dickson County for evaluation and then was taken in for booking wearing an orange jumpsuit and Sargent Baker’s handcuffs.
Steven Joseph Wiggins was booked in to jail on Friday evening wearing handcuffs belonging to Sargent Daniel Baker – the police officer he is accused of murdering
Wiggins (pictured) was arrested on Friday after spending two days hiding out in the bush as police offered $46,000 for information leading to his capture
The Tennesssee Bureau of Investigation announced Wiggins’s arrest through a photo of him being placed into a police car on Friday.
His beard and clothing was covered in dirt and debris, while a rip in his jeans suggested he had been living rough following the fatal shooting.
Wiggins was found by Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Burch on Stinson Road in Bon Aqua, not far from where he allegedly killed 32-year-old Sgt Daniel Baker.
Steven Wiggins, a suspect in a Tennessee deputy’s killing, is pictured being placed into the back seat of a patrol vehicle following his capture
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced Wiggins’ capture in a tweet on Friday, two days after he allegedly killed Sgt. Daniel Baker
Wiggins’ clothes were muddy and his jeans were ripped open at the time of his arrest. He is accused of shooting Sgt Baker (right) on Wednesday
Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Dereck Stewart updates reporters on Wiggins’ arrest during a press conference on Friday morning
Wiggins was found by Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Burch on Stinson Road in Bon Aqua, not far from where he allegedly killed 32-year-old Sgt Daniel Baker.
Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Dereck Stewart said during a Friday morning press conference that Burch trained his weapon on the suspect and ordered him to lie on the ground, at which point Wiggins surrendered without showing any resistance.
‘He was totally obedient to the trooper’s orders,’ Smith said.
A visibly emotional Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe vowed to be there every step of the way until his deputy’s loved ones get closure, even if it could take years for the criminal case against Wiggins to make its way through the legal system.
‘If they have to wheel me into the courthouse, I’ll be there,’ he promised.
Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe appeared deeply emotional during a press conference following Wiggins’ capture, and vowed to fight for justice for his fallen friend
He wore a black band with the number 95 on it – Sgt. Baker’s badge number – over his own badge
Dickson County Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe (left and right) choked back tears as he read a letter from Sgt Baker’s widow, Lisa
Sgt Baker leaves behind his wife, Lisa, and their young daughter, Meredith (pictured)
Eight members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol are seen heading to Friday’s news conference
Sheriff Jeff Bledisoe choked back tears as he read a statement from Sgt. Baker’s wife
Struggling to keep his composure, and at times choking back tears, the sheriff went on to read a statement from Baker’s widow.
‘There are no words to describe the level of devastation that myself and family are dealing with,’ Lisa Baker wrote. ‘We the family of my husband and best friend Sgt Daniel Baker would like to convey our gratitude for the endless efforts of the law enforcement officers, EMS, fire and rescue, and volunteers in the apprehension of the two suspects that have forever changed our lives. Our deepest thank you.
‘The family and I would like to thank our amazing local community for the outpouring of love and support being shown during this most difficult and trying time.
‘Lastly, I would like to ask our family, friends and community to help our daughter, Meredith, to always know how wonderful and amazing her father is. His service and dedication to his country and community will always be remembered.’
The TBI said a video recording allowed them to identify Wiggins as the suspect. Federal, state and local authorities searched for Wiggins over two days, following up on hundreds of tips.
Rewards totaling $46,000 had been offered for information leading to Wiggins’ capture.
Wiggins had been already wanted on charges that he assaulted a woman and stole her car when he was pulled over Wednesday, according to a report from the Kingston Springs Police Department.
A surveillance camera had caught a glimpse of Wiggins prior to his arrest (pictured)
Erika Castro-Miles, 38, (left) was said to have participated in the altercation that led to the eventual killing of 32-year-old Sgt. Daniel Baker. Wiggins is pictured in an old mugshot (right)
That woman, 38-year-old Erika Castro-Miles, was in the car with Wiggins when he pulled the trigger and she is now jailed on a murder charge in Baker’s death, according to court documents.
Officers on Wednesday received a call about a ‘suspicious vehicle’ on a local road and Baker responded, TBI spokeswoman Susan Niland explained to WATE.
Baker was eventually found dead inside his patrol car two to three miles away from the scene. His GPS system was used to find his location after contact with Baker ceased.
The deputy’s family identified him as a father and husband who served in the US Marines.
Baker was eventually found dead inside his patrol car two to three miles away from the scene. His GPS system was used to find his location after contact with Baker ceased
He joined the department in 2008 and came from a family of officers – both his father and stepbrother worked for the Spring Hill Police Department.
‘There’s not much I can say today but our hearts are shattered,’ Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe said. ‘We just ask for your help.’
He added that Baker was ‘one of the best.’
‘This is one of our best deputies. He’s a supervisor. He’s worked his way up to sergeant on patrol, and he’s one of the ones who put it all on the line every day to keep our community safe. He was doing that again today with a call about a suspicious vehicle,’ Bledsoe added.
The deputy’s family identified him as a father and husband who served in the Marines
The husband and father of one joined the department in 2008 and came from a family of officers
The procession for Sgt. Baker that escorted his body to the Medical Examiner’s office in Nashville
‘This is one of our best deputies. He’s a supervisor. He’s worked his way up to sergeant on patrol, and he’s one of the ones why put it all on the line every day to keep our community safe. He was doing that again today with a call about a suspicious vehicle,’ said Sheriff Jeff Bledsoe
Wiggins was wanted for aggravated assault and theft.
The charges stem from a phone call Erika Castro-Miles made on Tuesday that police responded to in Kingston Springs.
Wiggins was wanted in connection to a domestic abuse dispute on Tuesday in Kingston Springs
Castro-Miles claimed Wiggins slapped her face and pulled her hair. She also said he had a gun to her head and was ‘going to kill her if she called the police.’
Wiggins was said to have taken Castro-Miles’ car without her permission.
He had ‘been doing meth all night and smoking marijuana,’ according to Castro-Miles.
According to local news reports, an affidavit filed in Dickson County court says Castro-Miles was sitting in the car with Wiggins when he shot and killed the deputy. She fled the shooting scene Wednesday and hid under a house, the affidavit says.
Castro-Miles is currently being detained at the Dickson County Jail.
Undated pictures show Wiggins has what appears to be Nazi tattoos.
He has been arrested for domestic abuse or assault at least eight times in the last 12 years.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched seeking donations to help Sgt Baker’s widow and young daughter. As of Friday afternoon, more than $31,000 has been raised.
A Blue Alert was issued for the man described as being 6’1′ and approximately 220lbs
Pictures show Wiggins has what appears to be Nazi tattoos