The Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) last week concluded a series of meetings across the state to help communities prepare for mass violence incidents (MVIs). Seven events drew more than 600 participants, including law enforcement, emergency management personnel, educators, nonprofit and faith-based groups, and hospital staff.
DPS Secretary and Arkansas State Police (ASP) Director Col. Mike Hagar and Dallas County Sheriff Mike Knoedl discussed lessons from the June 21, 2024, shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, which left four dead and 11 injured.
“When something like this happens, you have to leave your ego at the door,” Knoedl said. “Pick up the phone and call the Arkansas State Police. I can assure you, they will be there as quick as they can.”
Col. Hagar stressed the importance of building relationships before a crisis. “DPS and Arkansas State Police are assisting agencies. Our mission is to help communities and let them know what assets are available if they face the unthinkable,” he said.
Knoedl urged law enforcement to recognize that no town is immune and maintain strong ties with neighboring agencies. “Right after this happened, my phone rang, and it was Col. Hagar. He said, ‘How bad is it?’ I said, ‘It’s bad.’ He said, ‘I’m on my way,'” Knoedl recalled.
Arkansas DPS agencies involved include ASP’s Criminal Investigation and Highway Patrol divisions, Division of Emergency Management, State Crime Laboratory, Law Enforcement Standards and Training, Crime Victims Reparations Board, and ASP’s POLAR program. Meetings were held in Russellville, Camden, Rogers, Hope, Jonesboro, Heber Springs, and Conway.
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