LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Tenn. — A grand jury has determined three Ripley police officers used force that was justified, proper and necessary when they shot a suspect in February.

Officers Mike Kirkpatrick, Sam Parker and Travis Beraud were trying to pull over Stashia Piphus in Ripley February 9, but she refused to cooperate with police, according to District Attorney General D. Michael Dunavant.

Piphus began driving away, with the officer following behind her on foot.

At that moment, a second patrol car pulled up and pulled in front of the suspect’s car. That’s when officers said the Piphus put the car in reverse.

The officer on foot, Kirkpatrick, managed to fire several shots before being hit by the car and knocked to the ground.

She then put the car back in drive and began driving toward Kirkpatrick again. Parker and Beraud then fired shots at the car, which hit Piphus in the arm.

Police learned Piphus’ passenger, Sequna Copeland, was on the TBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted list.

Kirkpatrick was taken to Regional Medical Center with a life-threatening head injury.

Piphus was treated then sent to Lauderdale County Jail. Copeland was also arrested on outstanding warrants.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation examined the scene and spoke with witnesses to determine the officers acted properly in trying to stop the further threat of violence by the suspect and present its findings to the jury.

The grand jury charged Piphus with attempted first-degree murder, possession of heroin with intent to deliver in a drug-free zone, aggravated assault and felony evading arrest. Her bond is $300,000.