Virginia deputy's alleged killer captured in North Carolina: 'Thank you'

CARROLL COUNTY, Va. — Michael Timothy Puckett, the suspect wanted in the killing of Carroll County Deputy Logan Utt, has been captured, the Carroll County Sheriff's Office announced late Sunday.

Puckett was apprehended in Surry County, North Carolina — less than 20 miles from Cana, Virginia, where he allegedly shot and killed Deputy Utt and wounded a second deputy during a welfare check call Friday night.

"Thank you to all neighboring law enforcement agencies and the entire community for your assistance in the capture," the Carroll County Sheriff's Office said.

The arrest brings to an end a multi-day manhunt that drew resources from the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service and multiple local and state agencies. A combined reward of up to $60,000 had been offered for information leading to Puckett's arrest — $50,000 from the FBI and $10,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Puckett was facing an aggravated murder charge in Virginia in connection with Deputy Utt's death.

Deputy Utt joined the Carroll County Sheriff's Office in 2023 after serving his country in the military. Sheriff Kevin A. Kemp remembered him as a devoted public servant.

"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.

"Today, Carroll County has lost a hero, and a family has suffered an unimaginable loss. Please keep his wife, children, family, friends, and fellow deputies in your thoughts and prayers," Kemp said.

Additional details about the circumstances of Puckett's capture have not yet been released.

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.

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

Puckett, who officials said should be considered "armed and extremely dangerous," fled the scene after the shooting.

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.

Cody Ray Hiatt said the shooting shook 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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Hiatt knew Deputy 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," Hiatt said. "He's always been a jolly officer... It's just crazy to think that he got shot. I mean, that's rattling, that's wild."

It remains unclear whether Puckett lived at the home where the shooting took place, as the property is registered to a different name. No one in the surrounding area spoke with had heard of him prior to the shooting.

Authorities had asked the public to check surveillance video and trail or hunting camera images to help with real-time tracking of Puckett. Residents and business owners were urged to lock their vehicles, close garage doors, lock sheds and avoid leaving anything outside that Puckett could use to elude capture.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call state police's Division Four Dispatch at 540-444-7788.

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