Sheriff's deputy killed, police chief hurt in Sebastian County shooting; 1 in custody
Photographs by Michael Woods
A Hackett police vehicle Wednesday in Sebastian County. Hackett Police Chief Darrell Spells and sheriff's deputy Bill Cooper were shot Wednesday morning.
Story by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports
Originally published August 10, 2016 at 08:34a.m., updated August 10, 2016 at 04:49p.m.
One of two law enforcement officers shot while responding to a call in western Arkansas has died, Gov. Asa Hutchinson confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
Sebastian County sheriff's deputy Bill Cooper and Hackett Police Chief Darrell Spells were hit shortly before 7:20 a.m. outside a home in the 4700 block of Arkansas 253, which is between Greenwood and Midland, according to authorities.
In a statement shortly before 3 p.m., Hutchinson said Cooper died of injuries sustained in the shooting, offering condolences to his family and the law enforcement community.
“I am deeply saddened by the news that Sebastian County sheriff's deputy Bill Cooper has passed away after being shot in the line of duty this morning," Hutchinson said in a statement. "Today’s shooting incident, which also resulted in injuries to Hackett Chief of Police Darrell Spells, tragically illustrates the dangers our law enforcement officers face each and every day to keep us safe."
Spells was released from a local hospital later in the morning and is expected to be fine, a Hackett Police Department spokesman said.
Pevehouse told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the two were hit while responding to an unspecified call for service. He said the shooter, identified as 34-year-old Billy Jones, then barricaded himself in the residence for several hours.
Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck said Jones wanted to cause a "ruckus" ahead of a court appearance.
The sheriff said Jones was due in a Fort Smith courtroom Wednesday for a hearing on whether a previous suspended sentence should be revoked. Court records show he has had a drug conviction along with a handful of minor charges.
Authorities said the injured officers went to the home, about 6 miles from the Oklahoma border, after Jones pointed a weapon at his father, who called 911.
Law enforcement surrounded the home and the SWAT team was on scene as authorities attempted to communicate with Jones throughout the morning. He was taken into custody around noon.
Cooper had been an employee of the Sebastian County sheriff's office since 2001. He also worked for five years with the Fort Smith Police Department and served with the U.S. Marine Corps.
"We ask that you continue to pray for his family, friends and our department during this difficult time. Corporal Cooper will be deeply missed by all that knew him," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
James Markward, who lives nearby, said he heard commotion early Wednesday morning in the area, which is about 115 miles west of Little Rock.
"It woke me up this morning, the gunshots. Of course I didn't know what was going on," the 72-year-old told The Associated Press in telephone interview. "My neighbor called me and asked if I was shooting, and I said 'No, not me.'"
Markward said the shooting suspect once helped him split wood, but said he hadn't seen the man in a few years.
"As far as I know, he was all right," he said.
Additional details of the shooting haven't been released.
Arkansas State Police spokesman Bill Sadler said his agency is assisting, but he referred all questions to Sebastian County authorities.
Check back for updates on this developing story and read Thursday's Democrat-Gazette for full details.
Sebastian County sheriff's deputy Bill Cooper + Enlarge
Michael Woods Authorities near the scene where a sheriff's deputy and a police officer were shot Wednesday morning in Sebastian County. + Enlarge
Michael Woods Authorities at Arkansas 253 and Mockingbird Hill Road in Sebastian County, near where a sheriff’s deputy and a police officer... + Enlarge
The Associated Press, Arkansas Online reporter Brandon Riddle and Democrat-Gazette reporter Dave Hughes contributed to this story.
http://m.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/aug/10/2-police-officers-shot-sebastian-county-authoritie/
Today at 10:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Alaq: The monetary situation in Iraq is excellent and our reserves support the stability of the e
Today at 8:29 am by Rocky
» utube 11/23/24 MM&C Reporting-Expectations are High-IMF-Flexible Exchange Rate Regime-Pr
Today at 6:33 am by Rocky
» utube 11/25/24 MM&C MM&C Iraq News-CBI Building Final Touches-Oil Exports-Development Road-Turkey-B
Today at 6:33 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary movement to include the salary scale in the next session
Today at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance Committee reveals the budget paragraphs included in the amendment
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki calls on the Bar Association to hold accountable members who violate professional conduct
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Politician: The security agreement with America has many aspects
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Planning: More than 6 million people live in the region, the oldest of them is 126 years o
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Alaq: Arab consensus on the role of central bank programs in addressing challenges
Today at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Economics saves from political drowning
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Agriculture calls for strict ban on import of "industrial fats" and warns of health risks
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Iraq is the fourth largest oil exporter to China
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Railways continue to maintain a number of its lines to ensure the smooth running of trains
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Parliament resumes its sessions tomorrow.. and these are the most important amendments in the budget
Today at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Bitcoin Fails to Continue Rising as It Approaches $100,000
Today at 4:57 am by Rocky
» Minister of Planning: There will be accurate figures for the population of each governorate
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Popular Mobilization Law is ready for voting
Today at 4:54 am by Rocky
» Mechanisms for accepting people with disabilities into postgraduate studies
Today at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Government coordination to create five thousand jobs
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Transport: Next month, a meeting with the international organization to resolve the European ban
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Census is a path to digital government
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Calls to facilitate loans and reduce interest rates for the private sector
Today at 4:47 am by Rocky
» The launch of the third and final phase of the "population census"
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: We have accomplished a step that is the most prominent in the framework of planning, deve
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Justice discusses modern mechanisms to develop investment in real estate and minors’ money
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Dubai to host Arabplast exhibition next month
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Al-Tamimi: Integrity plays a major role in establishing the foundations of laws that will uphold jus
Today at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Reaching the most important people involved in the "theft of the century" in Diyala
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Transportation: Completion of excavation works and connection of the immersed tunnel manufacturing b
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» Between internal and regional challenges... Formation of the Kurdistan government on a "slow fire" a
Today at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Region Presidency: We will issue a regional order to determine the first session of parlia
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Foreign Affairs announces the convening of the Ambassadors Conference tomorrow, Mond
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani: Iraq must always be at the forefront
Today at 4:32 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani: We support the Foreign Ministry in confronting any external interference that affects
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani chairs meeting with Oliver Wyman delegation
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Half a million beggars in Iraq.. 90% of them receive welfare salaries
Today at 4:27 am by Rocky
» Sudanese announces preliminary results of the general population and housing census in detail
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» The centenary of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.. A journey of challenges and achievements
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister's Advisor Announces Assignment of Two International Companies to Study Iraqi Banking
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Agriculture: Integrated Support Project Provides 1,333 Job Opportunities
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» The Media and Education Commission discuss introducing advanced curricula related to artificial inte
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani’s First Test: Discussing Israeli Threats and Avoiding Controversial Laws
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» By name.. A parliamentary bloc reveals that five ministers will be questioned at the end of the legi
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» The financial budget is subject to political and economic amendments in the next parliamentary sessi
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» Will the government's efforts succeed in ending the electricity crisis in Iraq?
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Baghdad Airport Customs Increased to 400% After Implementing Automation
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» EU: Integrated Support Project in Iraq Creates Jobs in Agriculture and Youth
Today at 4:15 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani attends the centenary ceremony of the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Today at 4:13 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani: We seek to keep foreign policy away from alignments that harm Iraq’s unity and sovere
Today at 4:12 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government is working to develop a competitive banking system and support the private sect
Today at 4:10 am by Rocky
» Al-Alaq: Arab consensus on the role of central bank programs in addressing challenges
Today at 4:09 am by Rocky
» Regional markets rise in first session of the week
Today at 4:08 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Region Presidency: We will issue an order to set the first session of the regional parliam
Today at 4:06 am by Rocky
» Political differences hinder oil and gas law legislation
Today at 4:05 am by Rocky
» Government coordination to create new job grades for graduates
Today at 4:04 am by Rocky
» The financial budget is subject to amendments in the next parliamentary session
Today at 4:03 am by Rocky
» Alsumaria Newsletter: Iraq reaches the final stages of the census and Parliament resumes its session
Today at 4:01 am by Rocky
» After the elites and workers... Iranian factories "migrate" to Iraq
Today at 3:58 am by Rocky
» Beggars in Iraq "refuse" welfare salaries.. Their profits are 10 times the salary!
Today at 3:57 am by Rocky
» Amending the Election Law... A Means to Restore the Dilapidated Legitimacy
Today at 3:56 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister announces population census results, Iraq reaches 45 million mark
Today at 3:54 am by Rocky
» Find out the dollar exchange rates in the Iraqi markets
Today at 3:53 am by Rocky
» Kurdistan Interior Ministry: General amnesty does not include those accused of killing women
Today at 3:52 am by Rocky
» utube 11/21/24 MM&C MM&C News Reporting-Global Trade-Best Route in World-Purchase Power-Justice-Cen
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani discusses with the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization enhancing dig
Yesterday at 6:56 am by Rocky
» President of the Republic: Partnership with the United States is essential to achieve regional stabi
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Mazhar Saleh reveals details of the 2023 budget and the 2024 budget horizon
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Absent control and rising corruption.. Sudan faces a harsh political winter
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» A representative shows the laws prepared for voting during the upcoming sessions.
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Corrupt people in it.. Independent MP criticizes the performance of Al-Sudani's government
Yesterday at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil Committee reveals government move to end electricity crisis
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» The Administrative Court postpones consideration of the lawsuit on the legitimacy of the Kirkuk gove
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» MP: The ministerial reshuffle depends on consensus within the state administration
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Politicians put question marks on Al-Sudani: corruption, espionage and serving foreign interests
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» The International Union of Arab Bankers honors the Chairman of the Private Banks Association: A prom
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Industry: Contracts to supply state ministries with food products
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» After Shell Withdrawal, American Company Heads to Implement Al-Nibras Project in Iraq
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Revealing the fate of the Chinese deal in Iraq.. It was disrupted by this party
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank of Iraq 77 years of challenges and reforms
Yesterday at 4:57 am by Rocky
» "Unprecedented numbers"... American "CNN" talks about tourism in Iraq
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» After implementing automation, Baghdad Airport Customs jumps 400 percent
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Iraq participates in sustainable development activities
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani opens 790 model schools
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Culture: The Right to Information Law will satisfy all parties
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky
» Al-Mashhadani to {Sabah}: Tomorrow we will discuss the Zionist threats
Yesterday at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Industry to {Sabah}: Contracts to supply state ministries with food products
Yesterday at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Trade cooperation between Najaf and Isfahan
Yesterday at 4:48 am by Rocky
» {New building} and {electronic systems} to develop forensic medicine
Yesterday at 4:47 am by Rocky
» A specialized center for monitoring the environmental situation in the capital
Yesterday at 4:46 am by Rocky
» International and parliamentary praise for the success of the "population census" process
Yesterday at 4:45 am by Rocky
» The European Union organizes a workshop in Basra on central administration and the wealth distributi
Yesterday at 4:42 am by Rocky
» The Media Authority and the Ministry of Education discuss the importance of enhancing and introducin
Yesterday at 4:41 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports to America rose last week
Yesterday at 4:40 am by Rocky
» Electricity announces loss of 5,500 megawatts due to complete halt of Iranian gas supplies
Yesterday at 4:39 am by Rocky
» Tomorrow.. The Arab League is looking to unify its position against Israeli intentions to strike Ira
Yesterday at 4:37 am by Rocky
» The Central Bank moves its secret vaults to its new building.. Clarification of the truth of the cla
Yesterday at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Network reveals the fate of the Chinese deal.. It was disrupted by "Iraqi officials"
Yesterday at 4:34 am by Rocky
» From the White House to the "Leaders of Iraq"... A Message Regarding the Targeting of Baghdad
Yesterday at 4:33 am by Rocky