Lieutenant Kevin C. Mainhart, 46, of the Yell County Sheriffs Department was killed in the line of duty Thursday during a traffic stop west of Dardanelle, along State Highway 27 near the junction of Slo-Fork Road.
Lieutenant Mainhart had served the citizens of Yell County as a law enforcement officer for five years and previously retired from the West Memphis Police Department following a career of more than 20 years.
At approximately 7:18 Thursday morning, Lieutenant Mainhart initiated a traffic stop after identifying a vehicle believed to be associated with a disturbance call at 10024 Gum Springs Road.
During the course of the traffic stop the deputy was fatally wounded. A short time later a motorist passing the site notified local law enforcement Lieutenant Mainhart had been shot.
As other local officers arrived at the Gum Springs address, the deceased bodies of two other individuals were found outside the residence. The identity of the victims is not known at this hour.
Shortly before 10 Thursday morning, Yell County Deputies and Arkansas State Police identified a location where a suspect is believed to be located. State Police negotiators are attempting to make contact with the individual.
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