A Fort Payne, Alabama, man was sentenced to serve ten years in state prison without the possibility of parole after a Dade County jury convicted him of Aggravated Assault stemming from a violent confrontation with law enforcement in 2022.

Ethan Wayne Rogers, 36, was found guilty on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, of Aggravated Assault and Theft by Bringing Stolen Property into the State following a two-day trial before Judge Don Thompson. Rogers was immediately sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by 10 years on probation.

The conviction stems from an incident on January 3, 2022, at the One 9 Fuel Station in Wildwood, Georgia. Investigators from the DeKalb County (Alabama) Sheriff’s Office, some of whom were lawfully sworn Dade County Sheriff’s Deputies under Sheriff Ray Cross, were attempting to execute an arrest warrant on Rogers for the theft of a 2015 Honda Accord stolen out of DeKalb County.

Near-Fatal Assault

Evidence presented by Senior Assistant District Attorney Kevin Baugh and Assistant District Attorney Caitlin Banks detailed how investigators located the stolen Honda Accord at the gas station and attempted to box the vehicle in, driving official vehicles directly in front of the car.

As investigators attempted to apprehend Rogers, he put the stolen vehicle in drive and accelerated, nearly causing tragic consequences for a veteran officer.

Investigator Andrew Hairston, a 40-year veteran of law enforcement, was nearly crushed between the stolen vehicle and the investigators’ cruiser.

Hairston’s life was instantaneously saved by the actions of his son, Investigator Joshua Hairston. Seeing his father in imminent danger, Investigator Joshua Hairston opened fire on Rogers, striking him in the abdomen.

Rogers was subsequently taken into custody. The investigators on scene immediately rendered aid to Rogers while awaiting EMS services, and he ultimately survived his injuries.

Investigation and Prosecution

The complex investigation involved multiple agencies, with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent Adam Jones leading the inquiry into the officer-involved shooting. Dade County Sheriff’s Office Investigators Chad Payne and Tim McKaig assisted in the overall case.

Following the conviction, the District Attorney’s Office highlighted the severity of the offense. Rogers was found guilty of endangering the life of a police officer engaged in his duties.

The prosecution team was assisted by Administrative Assistants Tamara Clayton and Annabelle Carter, Victim-Witness Services Director Amy Reed, and Chief Investigator Christy Smith.

Rogers must serve the entirety of his ten-year prison sentence before beginning his probation, during which he will remain under court supervision.