A sheriff's deputy was shot dead during a traffic stop in East Texas early Tuesday by a man who authorities say fired a semiautomatic rifle at the officer before fleeing across state lines.

Gregory Newson, 45, was arrested for the killing after he allegedly fled the scene in Panola County and led officers on a high speed chase into Louisiana after the 2 a.m. shooting, authorities said.

Newson was apprehended when he crashed his sports utility vehicle after the hour-long pursuit, continued on foot and was bitten by a police dog that caught up to him in Shreveport, where he lives, reports KSLA.

Gregory Newson, 45, was arrested for the fatal shooting a sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop in East Texas early Tuesday. He is allege to have fired a semiautomatic rifle six times at the officer before fleeing the scene in Panola County across state lines into Louisiana

Newson was apprehended when he crashed his sports utility vehicle (pictured) after an hour-long pursuit, continued on foot and was bitten by a police dog that caught up to him in Shreveport, where he lives

The Panola County sheriff's office identified Deputy Chris Dickerson as the victim of the fatal shooting, several hours after the incident once his family was notified

Charges filed against him include capital murder, which may result in the death penalty if he is convicted.

The Panola County sheriff's office identified Deputy Chris Dickerson as the victim of the fatal shooting.

‘We have heavy hearts,’ said Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake at a news conference Tuesday. 'We have a big community. And we just ask you to keep us in your thoughts'.

‘It’s been many, many years since a deputy’s life’s been taken at the hands of such a vicious criminal', he responded, when asked about the impact of the loss of Dickerson.

The married father of two girls had served on the force 8 years, and already was hailed a hero after he and two other deputies helped save a woman from a burning home in December 2017. Dickerson also was an army veteran.

‘It’s been many, many years since a deputy’s life’s been taken at the hands of such a vicious criminal', said Panola County Sheriff Kevin Lake at a news conference Tuesday

Dickerson, a married, father of two girls had served on the force 8 years

Dickerson already was heralded a hero after he and two other deputies helped save a woman from a burning home in December 2017

Authorities said Newson's SUV was stopped near the town of Gary City, and that he allegedly got out of the vehicle and fired a semiautomatic rifle six times times at Dickerson.

The sheriff's office said Dickerson did return fire.

Nearby residents who heard the gunshots found the injured deputy and used his radio to call for help. Dickerson was taken to a hospital, where he died.

RSHV News reports that the Shreveport Police, Caddo Parris deputies and Louisiana State Police were on scene after Newson crashed his vehicle on Highway 3132 near the West 70th Street exit.

Video footage from from the news outlet of when the chase ended shows some of the more than 30 units that were involved.

BREAKING NEWS: 30 UNITS WORKING A HIGH SPEED CHASE IN SHREVEPORT, AFTER A PANOLA COUNTY DEPUTY WAS FATALLY SHOT PHOTOS OF THE DEPUTY: https://www.facebook.com/263236060528241/posts/1261761370675700?sfns=mo Shreveport Police, Caddo Parish Deputy’s and Louisiana State Police, are now on scene of a high speed chase. After an hour chase, the driver of the vehicle crashed on Highway 3132, near the West 70th Street exit. There are over 30 units working this scene. According to police, the suspect shot a Panola County Police Officer. #UPDATE: A PANOLA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE CONDUCTING A TRAFFIC STOP EARLY THIS MORNING. SHERIFF KEVIN LAKE CONFIRMED THAT ONE DEPUTY WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY AT AROUND 2 O'CLOCK THIS MORNING. THE SHERIFF SAYS HE WILL HAVE MORE IN A NEWS RELEASE LATER, BUT HE SAYS MULTIPLE TEXAS RANGERS ARE CURRENTLY ON THE SCENE CONDUCTING THE INVESTIGATION. HE SAYS THEY ARE NOT RELEASING THE DEPUTY'S NAME UNTIL ITS BEEN CONFIRMED THAT ALL FAMILY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. DECEMBER 31, 2019, 45 YEAR-OLD GREGORY NEWSOM OF SHREVEPORT WAS BOOKED INTO SHREVEPORT CITY JAIL. HE FACES THE FOLLOWING CHARGES: FLIGHT/VEHICLE, FUGITIVE. HE WILL BE EXTRADITED BACK TO TEXAS, WHERE HE WILL FACE MULTIPLE CHARGES. 🚔PANOLA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE🚔 🎥RSHV News 1🎥 Posted by RSHV News 1 - Shreveport/Bossier on Tuesday, 31 December 2019 =68.ARDP7jnLvD_LOkMrz-ru7Arf77j_cz3YWqBVKjEwttHfXbHgeVzHviM8_GM7EO1rz_kJCAiu4eK0Gg_9GttW8TOPeQSbP9LuBxq0CXe5msBWOc848Bjd9MKRdfIYaem8Y9dK1sqOiKU6h8jQ08Jyj0HTB5-XhN1OOCa8rhtrCsPJb0XuMoQEphDFIeUNg_r5SUzjrzce1FzdEHI3IOy3hhfI-cb2A3njK3STjCrDVAauWDrL4adDtSnWL5qwOcy0M9LTCAvOCcMe9xLttVTkk0SOGT6jIstM6NaptjH7oCYYzDm1_OgHvGTEooQu4J8gJ2I8fj2ko0vFaAED6CJUvx9kwg01exjGekfxkOms&__tn__=-R]

The Texas Rangers were brought in to lead the investigation of the shooting, authorities said.

Mourners have created a gofundme page to help the family cover funeral costs and other expenses.

Newson is to be extradited back to Texas, the sheriff's office said.

Panola County is located on the Texas border with Louisiana, about 160 miles (260 kilometers) southeast of Dallas.