Aside from the pandemic, 2020 also marked the first year that a Hot Springs police officer had been killed in the line of duty since February 1996, when Officer Chris Anderson was shot during a warrant service.
Hot Springs police Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire was shot and killed March 10 following a routine traffic stop at around 6:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Kenwood Street.
The alleged shooter, Kayvon Mashawn Daking Ward, 22, and an alleged accomplice, Coraima Hernandez, 21, have each been charged with capital murder, punishable by the death penalty or life in prison, for the death of Scrimshire, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, punishable by up to life, because Ward also allegedly shot at Officer Anthony Larkin, who was not injured, during the incident.
Garland County Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence indicated she intends to seek the death penalty against Ward and Hernandez, who allegedly interfered with officers prior to the shooting. The cases against both suspects were filed under seal and a gag order limiting pretrial publicity was issued on March 13.
Both Ward and Hernandez, who have been held on zero bond since their arrests, pleaded not guilty to the charges on March 17 and Ward's attorney, Willard Proctor Jr. of Little Rock, indicated he plans to maintain a defense of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and filed a motion for a mental evaluation, which was granted.
The mental evaluation, which was submitted on April 8, indicated Ward was fit to proceed, but Proctor requested a second evaluation and a review hearing is set for March 16, 2021.
On Dec. 24, Hernandez's attorney, Robert Tellez, of North Little Rock, filed a motion for a mental evaluation of his client and she is also set for a fitness to proceed hearing on March 16.
According to a news release from Lawrence on the incident, Scrimshire had stopped a Nissan Xtera for allegedly running a stop sign and made contact with the driver, identified as Ward. It noted there was a child, about 2 years old, in the rear of the vehicle not in a child safety seat. Ward was reportedly unable to produce a license or registration and gave a false name to Scrimshire as Larkin arrived to assist and Hernandez also arrived on the scene.
The officers attempted to take Ward, who was found to have warrants for his arrest, into custody, but he allegedly resisted and began "actively fighting both officers." Hernandez was allegedly pulling and pushing the officers and yelling at them to leave Ward alone. Ward broke free with Hernandez's help and ran into a nearby yard where he allegedly fired multiple shots at Scrimshire and Larkin, striking Scrimshire in the upper torso above his bulletproof vest.
Both officers returned fire, striking Ward. Both Scrimshire and Ward were transported to local hospitals where Scrimshire was later pronounced dead. Ward was treated and later released into custody.
In the days following his death, Scrimshire's police unit was parked in the front parking lot of the police department as a memorial and was soon covered with flowers and other items left in his honor by members of the public. Hundreds of law enforcement personnel, friends and the public gathered at Hot Springs Convention Center on March 16 for Scrimshire's funeral and Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe formally declared it Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire Day in Hot Springs.
On Aug. 21, Scrimshire was promoted to corporal in a posthumous ceremony held in conjunction with the promotions of nine other officers in the department. Police Chief Chris Chapmond, speaking at the ceremony, said Scrimshire, a seven-year veteran, was "well on his way to achieving the rank of corporal and today we honor him and his family by meritoriously promoting him to that rank. From this day forward, we will honor Brent by addressing him as Cpl. Scrimshire."
He presented Scrimshire's wife, Rachel, with her husband's new badge and also presented her with the Medal of Honor presented to her and her family from the American Police Hall of Fame, which she accepted to a standing ovation.
On Sept. 11, Lauray's -- The Diamond Center donated 200 commemorative bracelets honoring Scrimshire to the department for every officer and family members to wear. On Dec. 22, the Hot Springs Knights of Columbus Council 6419 donated $2,000 to be used for scholarships for Scrimshire's children to honor his sacrifice.