Stone County deputy killed in shooting identified

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Photo courtesy of KARK-TV

A Stone County Sheriff’s deputy killed during an officer-involved shooting incident has been identified. According to the Arkansas State Police, 56-year-old Sergeant Mike Stephen and an unidentified suspect are both dead from gunshot wounds, and an unidentified female also received injuries believed to be non-life threatening.

The sheriff’s office received a call just after 8 a.m. Thursday of a domestic welfare check at a residence on Flag Road in the southwestern portion of Stone County. Sergeant Stephen arrived over a half hour later and was speaking with the female when gunfire erupted.

Stone County Chief Deputy Zach Alexander says Sergeant Stephen was a 20-year law enforcement veteran and a veteran of the United States Army. He also served as the chief of the Pineville Fire Department.

The bodies of Sergeant Stephen and the suspect are being transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab in Little Rock for autopsies. The suspect’s name is being withheld until the next of kin is notified.

The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is handling the investigation at the request of the Stone County Sheriff’s Office.

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