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Deputy dies of injuries after attacked by cow

By Scott Harvey

Tyler – An East Texas deputy has died of injuries suffered when he was attacked by an injured cow while directing traffic around the animal.

Smith Deputy Robert Britton, of Tyler, died Monday at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. The 54-year-old Britton had been at the facility battling for his life since the incident early Thursday near Bullard.

Britton had responded to a report of a stray cow struck by a vehicle and was directing traffic on Farm Road 344 when the cow charged him. Bullard Police Chief Gary Lewis tells KLTV in Tyler that few noticed the cow started to stand until it was too late.

"He [the cow] ran right at us standing there. I moved to the left and Mr. Britton backed straight up and the cow kind of hit him chest high."

Britton was knocked into the air and landed head-first on the pavement before the animal continued the attack until other deputies rescued him.

Officials say the cow was euthanized. The search for the cow's owner continues.