Eric Wade Berkenkamp, 49, of Winnsboro pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony of arson - recklessly causing injury that occurred on July 27, 2022 in Hawkins.

He was sentenced to 40 years in state prison and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine Thursday, April 10 in 402nd District Court.

Berkenkamp also pleaded guilty to the first-degree felony of aggravated assault against a public servant with a deadly weapon and acknowledged his guilt for the offense of terroristic threat of a family/household member. 

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office received a call on July 27, 2022 that Berkenkamp was damaging a residence in Hawkins and had poured gasoline throughout the entire house. Wood County Prec. 3 Constable John McQueen responded to the residence to assist the Sheriff’s Office. Officers observed Berkenkamp outside and tried to detain him, but he fled inside the residence.

Officers entered the residence and observed Berkenkamp lying in a pool of gasoline. Berkenkamp ignited a lighter and dropped it in the pool of gasoline, starting a fire. McQueen’s boot caught on fire as a result and he fled outside “in fear for his life.”

After extinguishing the flames on his boot, McQueen assisted the Sheriff’s Office and the Hawkins Police Department in taking Berkenkamp into custody. 

Wood County Criminal District Attorney Angela Albers said, “The defendant has a history of arson and violence towards law enforcement. His actions endangered everyone at the residence that day and could have easily resulted in serious injury or the death of police officers. The defendant’s actions are intolerable and the sentence in this case reflects how seriously my office treats violence against law enforcement. Fortunately, Constable McQueen and the other officers on scene were able to walk away from the residence that day.”