CRITTENDEN COUNTY | June 29, 2023

An officer with the Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) is stable after being injured in a foot pursuit Thursday in the community of Lehi in Crittenden County.

PFC Thomas Evans was performing weight enforcement in the Lehi area when the local Sheriff’s Office dispatched a call for an attempted robbery at a nearby gas station. Officers with the Highway Police were the closest police units to the gas station and responded to the call.

On arrival, officers saw the suspect fleeing on foot. During a pursuit, the suspect dropped a weapon from his waistband. PFC Evans stopped to recover the gun. While picking up the weapon, it discharged striking Officer Evans in the foot. Other AHP and local officers took the suspect into custody.

PFC Evans was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. He has since been released and is recovering at home.

“Due to the quick response by our Highway Police units and local officers, the suspect was successfully apprehended,” AHP Chief Jeff Holmes shared. “We commend the law enforcement agencies involved and PFC Evans for their quick thinking and ability to bring this potentially dangerous situation to an end.”

Officer Evans has served with the Highway Police since January 2022.