Grand Jury Clears Former Gladewater Police Officer

GLADEWATER – A Gladewater police officer has not been indicted in a shooting that occurred last November. But, while the Gregg County Grand Jury did not indict former officer Jacob Lira, they did indict the man he shot, Matthew Murchison, 30, (pictured) of Gladewater. He is charged with assault of a peace officer. Murchison was shot in the leg when he pulled his hands from his waistband into a shooting position. When he then bit and hit the officer, a taser was used on him. During the investigation, Murchison is said to have told the Texas Rangers that his intention was to commit suicide by cop. Officer Lira is currently a patrol officer for the Kilgore Police Department.