Dead Deer Springs Back
A Texas sheriff's deputy was startled when a seemingly dead deer suddenly sprang up and fled.
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Key Points
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Sheriff Woody Wallace joked that the deer made “a four-legged getaway” instead of receiving a citation, adding that it was “just another night shift where anything can happen.”
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The video attracted more than 11 million views, with commenters suggesting the deputy’s scream should be played on a loop in the briefing room and that the clip should be submitted to “America’s Funniest Videos.”
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The incident occurred near Lufkin, according to CBS Texas, which described the footage as showing the deer suddenly springing back to life while the deputy was handling the roadside call.
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The Trinity County Sheriff’s Office routinely shares dashcam footage and community updates with residents of rural East Texas, providing context for why the August 28 video was publicly released.
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The episode resembles a 2016 Adams County, Wisconsin, incident in which a deer believed to be dead revived inside a car trunk and bounded away when a deputy opened it.
A Texas sheriff's deputy got the scare of his life on August 28 when a doe he thought was dead suddenly sprang to life and bolted into the woods. New York Post captured the moment on dashcam footage, showing the panicked officer screaming "It's awake!" before retreating with his partner. The video went viral with over 11 million views, drawing amused reactions from millions online.
Trinity County Sheriff Woody Wallace joked that the deer made "a four-legged getaway" instead of facing a citation. Wildlife experts say injured or stunned deer can fall into a state of temporary immobility from disorientation or shock, then suddenly recover and flee.
Startled Deputy's Viral Moment
The dashcam footage captured everything. The deputy approached what he believed was a dead deer on the roadside near Lufkin. Moments later, the doe's eyes opened. She jumped up and bolted into the woods. The officer's scream of shock filled the dashcam audio as he backpedaled, his partner laughing at the unexpected turn of events.
Social media users flooded comment sections with jokes. Many suggested the deputy's scream should play on loop during briefings. Others urged him to submit the clip to "America's Funniest Videos." Whiskey Riff noted the officer's hilarious reaction sparked widespread debate about the deer's true condition.
Why Injured Deer Go Still, Then Run
Veterinarians and wildlife experts explained the deer's behavior. Outdoors.com reported that stunned or injured animals can enter a state called tonic immobility. This freeze-like response happens when the deer is disoriented or shocked. The body stays motionless while the brain processes danger. Once it recovers, the deer bolts for safety.
This isn't the first time it happened. In 2016, an Adams County, Wisconsin deputy opened a car trunk to find a supposedly dead deer inside. The animal revived instantly and bounded away, leaving the officer equally stunned. Animals often play dead or freeze as survival tactics.
County Shares Dashcam Footage With Community
The Trinity County Sheriff's Office routinely posts dashcam video and community updates to keep residents informed. Hoodline noted the August 28 incident was shared as part of this regular practice. The office serves rural East Texas, where vehicle-versus-wildlife calls happen often. The viral video was just another night shift moment gone unexpectedly funny.
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