CITY OFFICIALS HOLD BRIEF NEWS CONFERENCE
City officials gathered at the front of the Hot Springs Police Department Wednesday afternoon for a brief, emotional news conference about the death of Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire.
Hot Springs Police Chief Jason Stachey was joined by Hot Springs City Manager Bill Burrough, Assistant Police Chief Walt Everton and Cpl. Joey Williams.
"We say that our City employees are the heart of the City because they offer their service, day in and day out. For our officers, they risk their lives every time they put on the uniform to protect and serve each of us. Our hearts are broken as we have lost one of our brave heroes, Officer Brent Scrimshire. He was a decorated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our city," Burrough said in a statement released following the news conference.
"We appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support to our Hot Springs Police Department family and the Scrimshire family. We ask that you continue to pray for his wife and children, as well as his brothers and sisters in blue."
Burrough noted that three accounts have been established to assist Officer Scrimshire’s family. In Hot Springs, donations are being accepted at Arvest Bank locations; and in Malvern, funds are set up at Farmers Bank and Southern Bank.
GOVERNOR ORDERS FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF
Gov. Asa Hutchinson ordered the Arkansas and U.S. flags lowered to half-staff on Wednesday in memory of Hot Springs Police Officer Brent William Scrimshire who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.
“Officer Scrimshire was selfless and brave in serving Hot Springs,” Hutchinson said Wednesday in a news release. “He put the safety of others ahead of his personal safety. Tuesday evening, Officer Scrimshire gave his life in service of others. I was saddened to learn of his death. I offer my condolences to his family and his fellow officers in the Hot Springs Police Department.
“I have ordered the Arkansas and U.S. flags to fly at half-staff in memory of the service of Officer Brent William Scrimshire and as an expression of our shared sorrow for his death.”
CROSSGATE TO HOST TIME OF PRAYER
Crossgate will host a time of prayer Wednesday night for Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire’s family and friends, the Hot Springs Police Department, and our local community.
"We will meet in the Worship Center from 7:45 pm - 8:00 pm for a time of prayer as we conclude our Wed Night activities
PATROL UNIT BECOMES MEMORIAL
Hot Springs police Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire's patrol unit has been parked in front of the Hot Springs Police Department at Malvern and Jefferson for anyone who wants to leave memorials for the fallen officer.
"We want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support from everyone during this trying time," the police department said on its Facebook page.
MEMORIAL FUND ESTABLISHED
A memorial fund has been established at Farmers Bank and Trust, 521 E. Page Ave., in Malvern, for Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire.
Call 501-332-2462 for more information. Donations may be made to the Brent Scrimshire fund, according to Hot Springs police Cpl. Joey Williams.
CONDOLENCES POUR IN
Condolences are pouring in from across the state and the country on social media for Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire, who was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop Tuesday evening on Kenwood Street.
“The city of Hot Springs and the state of Arkansas mourns the tragic loss of Officer Scrimshire. Brent Scrimshire gave his life for the safety of his fellow man—the ultimate sacrifice deserving of our deepest respect. May God welcome Brent home and bring comfort to his family," U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said in a statement released Wednesday morning.
Scrimshire, 33, an eight-year veteran of the Hot Springs Police Department, was killed in the line of duty Tuesday night during a traffic stop on Kenwood St. in Hot Springs.
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge tweeted a photo from 2016 when she presented Scrimshire with the Regional Officer of the Year Award.
"My heart breaks for the family of Officer Brent Scrimshire who was killed in the line of duty last night. I had the honor of meeting him in 2016 when I awarded him the Regional Officer of the Year for his service and willingness to go above and beyond for his community," Rutledge said in the tweet.
From Twitter:
@AsaHutchinson
I am deeply saddened to learn that Hot Springs Police Officer Brent Scrimshire was shot and killed in the line of duty last night. Our prayers are with his family, the Hot Springs Police Department, and the entire law enforcement community.
@NYPDChiefofDept
Our thoughts and prayers are with the @HotSpringsPD and the family of Officer Brent Scrimshire, who was shot and killed in the line-of-duty last night. Officer Scrimshire’s ultimate sacrifice is another stark reminder of the dangers those in blue face every day. #NeverForget
@NYPDchaplains
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Officer Brent Scrimshire of the Hot Springs Police Department who lost his life in the line of duty last night. May God grant you eternal rest and peace. @HotSpringsPD
@FBILittleRock
We are shocked and heartbroken by the death of #Police Officer Brent Scrimshire tonight. We mourn alongside our @HotSpringsPD partners, and we offer our most sincere thoughts and prayers for Officer Scrimshire's family and friends. Rest in peace, Officer Scrimshire.
@bransonpolice
Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Brent Scrimshire, his family, and the Hot Springs Police Department during this most difficult time. #utimatesacrifice #neverforget
@JohnBoozman
I’m saddened to learn of the death of @HotSpringsPD Office Brent Scrimshire. His sacrifice in the line of duty tragically reminds us of the dangers our law enforcement face daily. My prayers are with his loved ones, colleagues and the Hot Springs community.
@SheriffPulaski
The community of Hot Springs is not the same today. We’re remembering a true hero. We’re with you. 💙 Please keep the family of fallen police officer Brent Scrimshire and the entire Hot Springs Police Department in your thoughts and prayers.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
A Hot Springs police officer died Tuesday night at a local hospital after being shot during a traffic stop on Kenwood Street earlier in the evening, Hot Springs police Cpl. Joey Williams said.
Williams identified the officer as Officer 1st Class Brent Scrimshire. He is the first Hot Springs police officer killed in the line of duty since February 1996, when Officer Chris Anderson was shot during a warrant service.
At around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Scrimshire conducted a traffic stop in the 100 block of Kenwood Street, Williams said in a news release.
"During the stop, shots were fired and Officer Scrimshire was struck, along with the suspect," he said.
Scrimshire was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, Williams said.
The name and condition of the suspect was not released Tuesday evening.
The investigation has been turned over to the Arkansas State Police, Williams said.
"We ask for prayers for our officer and his family," he said.
Scrimshire has been recognized as an Employee of the Quarter for the police department several times; most recently in October 2019. In October 2016, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge named him a Regional Officer of the Year.
Rutledge issued the following statement Tuesday night:
“My heart breaks for the family of Officer Brent Scrimshire who was killed in the line of duty tonight. Our men and women in blue hold the line every day so Arkansans can sleep safely at night. Unfortunately, Officer Scrimshire paid the ultimate sacrifice and we are forever indebted to him. My prayers and deepest condolences go out to Officer Scrimshire’s family and the entire Hot Springs Police Department as they are faced with this devastating loss.”
There was an outpouring of condolences on social media Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.
"Please remember Officer Scrimshire’s family in your prayers along with all of the HSPD and the surrounding community as we deal with this terrible loss. Always keep our first responders in your prayers as they put their lives on the line to protect you and your family," state Sen. Alan Clark posted on his Facebook page early Wednesday morning.
"I would ask that everyone have their thoughts and prayers for our officer at this time and his family," Williams said during an impromptu news conference held in a parking lot several blocks from the scene of the shooting.
Numerous Hot Springs police officers and detectives, Garland County sheriff's deputies and investigators, state police, Garland County Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Lawrence and Deputy Prosecutor Trent Daniels all converged on the scene at Kenwood and Marion streets shortly after the shooting.
A large section surrounding the 100 block of Kenwood Street was blocked off during the initial investigation. Several bystanders who were in the area, which is near a city park, when the shooting occurred said they heard up to nine gunshots following what appeared to them to be a traffic stop.
First responders were seen transporting a police officer on a gurney from an area behind 117 Kenwood St. As they loaded the gurney into the ambulance, one of the ambulance personnel could be seen performing chest compressions on the officer.
"I was standing in my front yard weedeating and (saw) what looked like a traffic stop about three doors down from my house on the corner (of Kenwood and Linwood)," a man who asked not to be identified told The Sentinel-Record. "And it just looked like someone jumped out of the car and then the police jumped out and chased him down between two houses. I'd say within about five seconds, you could hear the gunshots and that's basically all I saw.
"There were two (officers) in the car. ... I know one guy got out of the (stopped) car and ran between the two houses. That's the best I can remember. It all happened so fast."
When initially asked Tuesday night, Williams said he could not confirm if the shooting stemmed from a traffic stop or the exact circumstances involved leading up to the incident.
"The neighborhood is safe and there is no danger to the public," he said. "The suspects involved are in custody."
Williams confirmed there were two suspects involved in the incident.
Earlier in the evening, Williams told The Sentinel-Record that the scene on Kenwood was "a contained situation."
Williams said there is no danger to the public, and no suspects are being sought.
Several witnesses at the scene reported hearing multiple shots fired.
Local on 03/10/2020