AG recognizes 2006 "Officer of the Year"

Each year officers from across the state submit names of fellow officers who exemplify the best qualities an officer can have. Tough, smart and tenacious, these officers work tough cases and long hours. They keep going when others would stop and sometimes they end up in deadly situations. In recognition of their hard work and sacrifice, the following officers were honored.

State Attorney General's Office sponsors a law enforcement summit in the fall of each year. This year AG Mike Beebe is proud to announce the officers nominated and the 2006 Officer of the Year.

2006 Officer of the Year

Corporal Robert Meek

Arkansas State Police

Summary: On April 3, 2006, Corporal Robert Meek was working traffic enforcement on U.S. Highway 65, south of Harrison, when he clocked a small white vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. As Corporal Meek attempted to stop the vehicle, a pursuit ensued, continuing for approximately four miles and then turning onto a county road.

The vehicle came to an abrupt stop, and the driver came out of the car carrying a sawed-off shotgun. He shot Corporal Meek, striking him in the left arm and chest area. Meek returned fire, wounding the suspect twice. At this time, both the female and male passengers got out of the vehicle. The male fled on foot, but Corporal Meek was able to convince the female to remain at the scene.

Despite his injuries, Meek was able to remain coherent, making sure that neither subject caused further harm, and waited for the other officers to arrive at the scene.

Corporal Robert Meek was nominated by Captain G.B. Harp. We salute him for his heroism and composure under duress.

District One Winner - tie

Sergeant Van Nowlin

Arkansas State Police

Summary: On February 4, 2006, a Gassville police officer, Jim Sell, was shot and killed during a traffic stop. Sergeant Van Nowlin was monitoring radio traffic at the time and eventually became the primary unit in the pursuit of Jason Robida, the man who had inflicted Officer Sell’s fatal wounds.

Sergeant Nowlin immediately coordinated with Lieutenant Rick Lucy of the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office to set up a roadblock. When the suspect approached Sergeant Nowlin, he fired his weapon and drove through the roadblock.

A pursuit continued for several miles before ending in Norfork. Meanwhile, Sergeant Nowlin had picked up Deputy Lucy after Lucy’s car became disabled. As the pursuit came to a halt, Robida shot and killed his female passenger and then initiated a gun battle with Sergeant Nowlin and Deputy Lucy. Later, Robida turned his weapon on himself and committed suicide.

Sergeant Nowlin was nominated by Captain G. B. Harp. We commend him for his heroic actions and professionalism.

District One Winner - tie

Office Tim Whitaker

Pocahontas Police Department

Summary: On April 16, 2006, at approximately 1:30 a.m., a call came in to the police station, describing an attempted suicide and shots being fired. Officer Tim Whitaker was the first to arrive on the scene and, as he approached the house, a male suspect entered the carport armed with a rifle and a pistol. Officer Whitaker tried to convince the subject to comply multiple times, but instead, the subject went back into the house and fired his weapon through the wall at the officer, barely missing him.

Officer Whitaker found cover and began trying to calm the suspect. The subject would not comply and started firing rounds from a 30.06 rifle at Officer Whitaker’s patrol unit. Additional officers arrived and a stand-off ensued. The subject inside the house continued to step into the doorway and fire at officers. In the last minutes of the stand-off, while Chief Mulligan was trying to talk to the subject, Officer observed the subject looking intently at the Chief and raising his rifle to fire again. Whitaker wasted no time in firing one round from his patrol rifle, striking the subject and ending the dangerous situation.

Officer Tim Whitaker was nominated by Chief Chad Mulligan. We commend him for his bravery and judgment under fire.

District Two Winner

Detective Todd Hurd

Little Rock Police Department

Summary: Throughout 2006, Detective Todd Hurd worked diligently to assist in many of Little Rock’s more difficult criminal cases. In January, Detective Hurd supplied FBI personnel with vital information to locate a man wanted on federal firearms charges. He also assisted in two Little Rock homicide investigations, providing intelligence information and coordinating surveillance.

During the summer of 2006, Detective Hurd’s interview techniques aided in locating suspects involved in five Little Rock homicides. He also used information gained from an informant regarding a robbery that was scheduled to occur. Detective Hurd used this information to set up surveillance and apprehend the suspect, who was also involved in a murder-for-hire scheme.

When Detective Hurd is not involved in apprehending suspects, he actively provides training to more than 10 organizations. He also volunteers his time to parents of at-risk youth.

Detective Todd Hurd was nominated by Detective Jennifer Hurd. We salute him for his selflessness and devotion to duty.

District Three Winner

Detective Paul Shepard

Fayetteville Police Department

Summary: On May 11, 2005, a 64-year-old resident of Fayetteville reported that her home had been broken into by a man she knew through her employer. The suspect, David Gilchrist, kidnapped and raped the victim, eventually releasing her near her home. Detective Shepard led the investigation into this crime, and an intense five-day search for Gilchrist led to his arrest in a remote area of Benton County.

While crimes involving violence against individuals are a top priority for Detective Shepard, he puts forth an equal amount of hard work to solve crimes involving property. In the summer of 2005, Northwest Arkansas had endured a string of 17 commercial burglaries. Shepard worked diligently, using crime-scene information to locate the suspect. Even after an arrest was made, Detective Shepard interviewed the suspect’s girlfriend and discovered more stolen property in a storage unit.

Detective Paul Shepard is a true asset to the citizens of his community. He was nominated by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Threet and Lieutenant Mike Reynolds. We commend him for his dedicated service.

District Four Winners

Sergeant Yohance Brunson

and

Corporal David Wheeler

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

Summary: On April 19, 2006, Sergeant Yohance Brunson and Corporal David Wheeler were alerted that an irate employee at the Tyson Plant in Pine Bluff had armed himself with automatic weapons and was shooting employees. When Sergeant Brunson, Corporal Wheeler, and an officer of the Pine Bluff Police Department, Aaron Blantin, arrived, the situation was chaotic. Employees were fleeing for their lives, and radio traffic stated that several employees had been shot and were lying on the ground, while some were walking around wounded, and others were being held hostage.

Sergeant Brunson, Corporal Wheeler, and Officer Blantin entered the Tyson plant seeking the gunman, locating him near he shipping department and directing him to surrender and lay his weapons down. The gunman chose to fight, firing at the officers. They returned fire, wounding the gunman, and defusing the situation. The hostages were later located and released from a frozen-food locker.

Sergeant Yohance Brunson, Corporal Wheeler, and Aaron Blantin exercised decisiveness and initiative in a tense and dangerous situation. Wheeler and Brunson were nominated by Sheriff Boe Fontaine and Chief Deputy Gerald Robinson. We salute them for their valor and selfless devotion to the citizens of their community.