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Calhoun County Deputy Named Arkansas Officer of The Year

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LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today honored law enforcement officers from across Arkansas at the 2024 Officer of the Year Awards luncheon. At the conclusion of the event, Griffin issued the following statement:

“Each year we honor the service, sacrifice, and dedication of Arkansas’s law enforcement with the Officer of the Year Awards. The men and women we’ve recognized today have shown outstanding courage and commitment to their communities in the past year. As we celebrate the ways they have gone above and beyond to keep Arkansans safe, we honor not just these few, but all law enforcement officers.

“This year’s state Officer of the Year is Chief Deputy John Cutrell of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. During the mass shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce on June 21, 2024, Chief Deputy Cutrell was near the scene when calls began to come in. Chief Deputy Cutrell immediately jumped into action to assist law enforcement, paramedics, and victims. While on scene, he aided a paramedic by driving the ambulance to the hospital while the paramedic was treating a severely injured victim. Chief Deputy Cutrell then helped the paramedic transport the victim to their room so the medical staff could provide further medical treatment. Afterward, Chief Deputy Cutrell immediately returned to the Mad Butcher grocery store and began preserving the crime scene.

“The victim Chief Deputy Cutrell assisted that day is alive because of the chief deputy’s actions. In a situation of chaos and violence, Chief Deputy Cutrell demonstrated strength, compassion, and courage. He was among many heroes in Fordyce that day, and his actions are representative of the best of law enforcement in our state.

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“As the top law enforcement officer in the state, I am committed to supporting and working with Arkansas’s law enforcement community to ensure they can continue to protect and serve our citizens at the highest levels of excellence and professionalism.”

Honorees are officers from each of the state’s counties, five regional winners, two recipients of the Dwayne Yarbrough Distinguished Service Award, four valor tributes (officers who died in the line of duty) and one statewide Officer of the Year. This year’s honorees are:

Statewide Officer of the Year: Chief Deputy John Cutrell, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Northeast Region: Corporal Marcus Simpson, Arkansas State Police

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Southeast Region: Chief Deputy John Cutrell, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Southwest Region: Deputy Joshua Butterworth, Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Central Region: Trooper Austin Duncan, Arkansas State Police

Northwest Region: Deputy Tyler Himes, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office

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Valor Tributes:
Officer Michael “Cain” Maxheimer, Shannon Hills Police Department
Deputy Justin Smith, Stone County Sheriff’s Office
Officer Tommy Foster, Jr., Conway County Detention Center
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services

Dwayne Yarbrough Distinguished Service Awards:
Corporal Lonnie Stone, Flippin Police Department
Sergeant Justin Wagner, Polk County Sheriff’s Office

County Officers of the Year:
Arkansas County: Deputy Patrick Johnson, Arkansas County Sheriff’s Office

Ashley County: School Resource Officer Robert Black, Crossett Police Department

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Baxter County: Agent Bobby Hicks, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Community Correction

Benton County: Corporal Joshua Fritz, Siloam Springs Police Department

Boone County: Deputy Tyler Nichols, Boone County Sheriff’s Office

Bradley County: Trooper First Class TreVaughn Moore, Arkansas State Police

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Calhoun County: Chief Deputy John Cutrell, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Carroll County: Officer Zachary Gray, Berryville Police Department

Chicot County: Trooper David Menotti, Jr., Arkansas State Police

Clark County: Lieutenant Dean Palmer, Arkansas Police Department

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Clay County: Trooper Christian Underwood, Arkansas State Police

Cleburne County: Assistant Area Manager SRT Marcus “Levi” Lovin, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Community Correction

Cleveland County: K-9 Officer Austin Powell and K-9 Annie, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Columbia County: Trooper Justin Cherry, Arkansas State Police

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Conway County: Assistant Chief Trent Anderson, Morrilton Police Department

Craighead County: Special Agent Heath Gurley, Arkansas State Police

Crawford County: Deputy Tyler Himes, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office

Crittenden County: Trooper Dairren Evans, Trooper Dylan Evans, Corporal Billy Martin, Arkansas State Police

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Cross County: Trooper First Class Kristopher McCrea, Arkansas State Police

Dallas County: Trooper First Class Jimmy Plyler, Jr., Arkansas State Police

Desha County: Deputy Alan Hernandez, Desha County Sheriff’s Office

Drew County: Sergeant Chris Austin and K-9 Aiko, Drew County Sheriff’s Office

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Faulkner County: Officer Darnell Flowers, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Community Correction

Franklin County: Trooper Dalton Lewis, Arkansas State Police

Fulton County: Sergeant Justin Nowlin, Arkansas State Police

Garland County: Trooper Justin Parker, Arkansas State Police

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Grant County: School Resource Officer Saundra McCool, Sheridan Police Department

Greene County: Corporal Stephen Pace, Paragould Police Department

Hempstead County: Trooper First Class Trevor Dew, Arkansas State Police

Hot Spring County: Corporal Anna Eubanks, Malvern Police Department

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Howard County: Investigator Tim Bowlin, Dierks Police Department

Independence County: Deputy Sherman Rucker, Sergeant Zachary Spohr, Independence County Sheriff’s Office

Izard County: Lieutenant Robert Cross, Arkansas Department of Corrections – Division of Correction

Jackson County: Corporal Marcus Simpson, Arkansas State Police

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Jefferson County: Trooper James Harrell, Arkansas State Police

Johnson County: Corporal James Harmon, Lamar Police Department

Lafayette County: Assistant Chief Daniel Simmons, Lewisville Police Department

Lawrence County: Deputy Jason Fraser, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office

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Lee County: Special Agent James Collins, Arkansas State Police

Lincoln County: Investigator Larry Gailey, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

Little River County: Trooper First Class Ian Nelson, Arkansas State Police

Logan County: Corporal Jed Bolyard, Arkansas State Police

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Lonoke County: Trooper Ana Escamilla, Arkansas State Police

Madison County: Game Warden Caleb McClanahan, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Marion County: Deputy Brett Castle, Lieutenant Silas Gibson, Sergeant Mark Lee, Marion County Sheriff’s Office

Miller County: Sergeant Kyle Caudle, Sergeant Matt Warner, Texarkana Police Department

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Mississippi County: Sergeant Jared Camp, Manila Police Department

Monroe County: Trooper Gavin Taylor, Arkansas State Police

Montgomery County: Sergeant Emily McCaghren, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office

Nevada County: Sergeant Jeremy Hendrix, Nevada County Sheriff’s Office

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Newton County: Chief Deputy Mike Blocker, Newton County Sheriff’s Office

Ouachita County: Chief Nathan Greeley, Bearden Police Department

Perry County: Investigator Todd Bonds, Perryville Police Department

Phillips County: Trooper Dairren Evans, Arkansas State Police

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Pike County: Sergeant Shaun Furr, Pike County Sheriff’s Office

Poinsett County: Lieutenant Jay-Ryan Woods, Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office

Polk County: Deputy Josh Butterworth, Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Pope County: Corporal Kevin Hobby, Russellville Police Department

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Prairie County: Trooper Rand Lace, Arkansas State Police

Pulaski County: Special Agent Travis May, Arkansas State Police

Randolph County: School Resource Officer Felipe Baiza, Maynard School District

St. Francis County: Trooper Blake Irvin, Arkansas State Police

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Saline County: Trooper First Class Austin Duncan, Arkansas State Police

Scott County: Trooper Justin Shackleford, Arkansas State Police

Sebastian County: Trooper Tucker Phelps, Arkansas State Police

Sevier County: Patrolman Rene Ramirez, De Queen Police Department

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Sharp County: Senior Corporal Roger Tate, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Stone County: Special Agent Drew Widner, Arkansas State Police

Van Buren County: Special Agent Kevin Brown, Arkansas State Police

Washington County: Special Agent Heath Gurley, Arkansas State Police

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White County: Corporal John Long, White County Sheriff’s Office

Woodruff County: Constable Johnnie J. Hodge, McCrory Township

Yell County: Officer Jesse Keeling, Officer Anthony Ochoa, Danville Police Department

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Victim Identified In Highway Seven Fatal Wreck

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EL DORADO – An 81-year-old man from Smackover was killed Tuesday morning in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Highway 7 and Pershing Highway, according to the Arkansas State Police.

Huey Lane Green, 81, was pronounced dead at the scene following the collision, which occurred around 10:55 a.m. Green was driving a 2007 Pontiac eastbound and had pulled onto the shoulder at the intersection before attempting to make a left turn across the southbound lane of traffic. His vehicle was struck on the left side by a 2005 Chevrolet, also traveling south on Highway 7.

Two other individuals were injured in the crash. Tristen Dewayne Peebles, 22, of Camden, the driver of the Chevrolet, and Joey Allen Williams, 39, of Ward, a passenger in Green’s vehicle, were transported to South Arkansas Regional Hospital for treatment.

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Conditions at the time of the crash were clear and dry. Green’s body is being held at Young’s Funeral Home. Next of kin have been notified.

The crash remains under investigation by Arkansas State Police Trooper Logan Holmes.

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Missing Senior Found! Silver Alert Cancelled!

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EL DORADO, AR – El Dorado Police had issued a Silver Alert for a 73 year old female, whom family members say, may be suffering from dementia. The woman who was described as African-American, about 5’5″ and 150 lbs was reported missing by family around 8 P.M. on Thursday June, 12th. Officers did find the missing woman about 1:00 A.M. on Friday, June 13th.

According to LT. Trey Phillips with the El Dorado Police Department, the Silver Alert was cancelled and the woman is safe at home with family.

A Silver Alert is a public notification system designed to aid in locating missing seniors or individuals with developmental or cognitive disabilities, particularly those at higher risk. It’s similar to the Amber Alert for missing children, but focuses on vulnerable adults. In Arkansas, the Silver Alert system is administered by the Arkansas State Police, who works in conjunction with local emergency and law enforcement departments to get the message out to the public.

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Heavy Rainfall Could Cause Flooding Across Region

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EL DORADO — The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a warning for the possibility of localized heavy rainfall and minor flooding across South Arkansas today, Friday, June 13.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop throughout the day, with rainfall totals reaching up to an inch in many areas. Isolated spots could see even higher amounts, leading to potential flooding in low-lying or poorly drained areas.

The region falls under a “Marginal Risk” category for excessive rainfall, according to the latest forecast map, which includes Union, Columbia, and Ouachita counties. Areas just north of El Dorado and into parts of Central Arkansas are under a “Slight Risk,” where rainfall could be more concentrated.

Emergency officials are urging drivers to exercise caution.

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“Do not drive across flooded roads,” the National Weather Service advises. “Turn around, don’t drown.”

Forecasters say the rain could lead to temporary travel delays, ponding on roadways, and brief rises in small streams and creeks.

For updates throughout the day, residents are encouraged to monitor local news outlets and check weather.gov/shv.

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Ground Broken on Union County Communications Center in El Dorado

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EL DORADO — Local officials and emergency personnel gathered Thursday to break ground on the new Union County Communications Center, a centralized facility that will house all city and county 911 dispatch operations under one roof.

The new center is designed to improve coordination and response times across the region by unifying emergency dispatch services for both El Dorado and Union County. Once completed, it will serve as the hub for all emergency communication, bringing together city and county dispatchers for the first time in a single, state-of-the-art location.

“We are so excited to welcome this facility to our community,” the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce said in a statement. “This centralized center will help ensure faster, more efficient emergency response services for all of Union County.”

Local leaders praised the work of dispatchers and emergency personnel, highlighting their tireless efforts to keep the community safe. The Chamber extended its gratitude, saying, “Thank you to all of the dispatchers and emergency personnel who work around the clock to keep our community safe!”

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Construction is expected to continue through the coming months, with a projected opening date to be announced later this year.

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Camden Chamber To Host Membership Drive June 19th

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CAMDEN — The Camden Regional Chamber of Commerce is set to usher in a new era of community and business engagement with its upcoming event, “Ignite & Invite: Relaunch + Member Drive 2025,” scheduled for Thursday, June 19 at 5:00 p.m. at the Historic Missouri Train Depot, located at 314 Adams Avenue.

The event marks a significant milestone for the Chamber as it renews its focus on strengthening local business connections, expanding membership, and energizing civic participation. Organizers say the relaunch will spotlight new initiatives, fresh programming, and revitalized efforts to unite entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders across the Camden region.

“This relaunch is more than a celebration — it’s a movement,” said Tomeka Warren, Executive Director of the Camden Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We’re calling on local business owners, civic leaders, and residents to come together and take part in the exciting future we’re shaping for Camden.”

Attendees will enjoy light refreshments, giveaways, and networking opportunities, along with the chance to enroll or renew memberships on-site. The Chamber will also unveil new member benefits and upcoming events designed to support and promote the local business community.

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The event is open to all—current and former members, as well as those interested in learning more about the Chamber’s role and resources.

For more details, visit the Camden Regional Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or contact the Chamber office at 870-836-6426 or chamberdirectorcamden@gmail.com.

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