Virginia deputy killed in line-of-duty shooting remembered as 'devoted husband, loving father'

CARROLL COUNTY, Va. — The Carroll County Sheriff's Office has identified the deputy killed in Friday night's shooting as Deputy Logan Utt, a military veteran and devoted family man who had dreamed of a career in law enforcement.

A second deputy was injured in the shooting. A manhunt remains underway for the suspect, Michael Timothy Puckett.

Sheriff Kevin A. Kemp confirmed Utt's death in a statement Saturday.

"It is with deep sadness that I confirm the loss of Carroll County Sheriff's Office Deputy Logan Utt, who was killed in the line of duty while serving our community," Kemp said.

Utt joined the Carroll County Sheriff's Office in 2023 after serving in the military. Sheriff Kemp said becoming a deputy sheriff was a lifelong dream.

"Deputy Utt was a devoted husband, loving father, cherished family member, friend, and respected member of our law enforcement family. His service, courage, and dedication will not be forgotten," Kemp said.

WTVR via Carroll County Sheriff's Office

Cody Ray Hiatt knew Utt personally and said the news was difficult to process.

"Logan, you know, he's came over to my house a few times and even gave me a ride up here at T&M. And he's always been a jolly officer when I knew him and stuff like that, and it was just crazy. I mean, just think he got shot, I mean, that's rattling," Hiatt said.

Kemp said the county has "suffered an unimaginable loss."

"Please keep his wife, children, family, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers," Kemp said.

The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday after the Sheriff's Office received a request from a family member to conduct a welfare check at Puckett's home on Fancy Gap Highway. When two deputies arrived and made contact with Puckett, he opened fire on both of them. The deputies returned fire.

Utt was pronounced dead at the scene. The second deputy was struck in his ballistic vest, was injured and is reported to be in stable condition.

John Towe, who owns Towe's Country Store and Mountain Girls Orchard Market just down the street from where the shooting happened, told WDBJ that Friday night was chaotic.

"I started hearing that helicopter up and down, up and down 52," Towe said. "Finally, the phone rung, and it was my daughter calling, saying it was a manhunt to keep my doors locked," Towe said.

Hiatt said the shooting rattled the tight-knit community.

"It's just blown my mind because that's never happened, never," Hiatt said. "And I've always thought of Cana as a place where, you know, not stuff like that happens."

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Puckett fled the scene and remains at large. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies — including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF and multiple local agencies — are working alongside the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police to locate and capture him.

The United States Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to Puckett's arrest.

Puckett should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone who sees Puckett or has information about his whereabouts is urged not to approach him and to call 911 immediately. Those with information can also call state police's Division Four Dispatch at 540-444-7788.

This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.