Deputy Mike Stephen—a 20-year law enforcement veteran, a U.S. Army veteran, and the chief of the Pineville Fire Service—was shot and killed in the line of duty on Thursday, July 18, 2019. Image courtesy of Stone County Sheriff's Office
On Thursday, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) released further information on the fatal shooting of a deputy who served with the Stone County Sheriff's Office.
According to KNOW-TV, at an afternoon press conference, ASP Public Information Specialist Bill Sadler said that 56-year-old Deputy Mike Stephen was interviewing a female at a domestic call when gunfire suddenly erupted.
Deputy Stephen—a 20-year law enforcement veteran, a U.S. Army veteran, and the chief of the Pineville Fire Service—was struck and killed in the exchange of gunfire. Deputy Stephen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sadler said that the gunman—whose name has not been released—was also shot and killed.
Sadler said that the woman was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Sadler added, There is no routine call in law enforcement, but what happened this morning began as about as routine as you can get. But anything can happen at any time."
