The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. on Cheraw Road, not far from Lenoir.
Officials told WSOC that the unidentified deputy was wearing a bulletproof vest but was hit below it.
The deputy was flown to a Charlotte hospital where he was rushed into surgery.
Just before 9 a.m., officials said the deputy was out of surgery and was in "stable condition." He was wearing a protective vest at the time of the shooting.
Breaking Caldwell- deputy who was shot is now out of surgery and in stable condition.
— Dave Faherty (@FahertyWSOC9) July 16, 2018
Law enforcement officials said the suspect was driving a blue Toyota sedan.
No other details about the suspect have been released.
The sheriff's office and the State Bureau of Investigations are working the investigation.