End of Watch Officer Travis Wallace, shot, killed in line of duty
Suspect Latarius Howard was spotted by Officer Wallace riding in a sport utility vehicle about exit the motel parking lot and turn onto U.S. Highway 49. The officer used his patrol car to block the truck’s exit, at which time Howard exited the vehicle and reportedly began advancing on the officer while firing a gun. Officer Wallace returned fire, however there has been no report that Howard was injured. After wounding Officer Wallace, Howard and the driver, believed to be Hillie, then fled from the crime scene, officials reported.
13 Nov Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division went to northwest Mississippi where two men wanted in connection with the murder of a Helena – West Helena Police Officer yesterday were apprehended early this morning by U.S. Marshals. Latarius Quayshun Howard, 29, the suspected gunman in the murder, surrendered without resistance in Shaw, Mississippi shortly after 6 AM. Bruce Hillie, 24, the alleged getaway driver, was apprehended in Indianola, Mississippi.
The Arkansas State Police led law enforcement agency to investigate the Thursday evening shooting incident. Special agents assigned to the department’s Criminal Investigation Division were responsible for preparing an investigative case file for the Phillips County prosecuting attorney who has filed the state’s charges. Howard faces a capital murder charge, Hillie, is charged with hindering apprehension. Both are being held in the Sunflower County Jail at Indianola, Mississippi and will face an extradition hearing before being returned to Arkansas.
Officer Travis C. Wallace, 41, was struck by gunfire during a gun battle with Howard about 6:11 PM outside the Delta Inn located at 1207 U.S. Highway 49 in Helena-West Helena. Officer Wallace and other local police officers had been looking for Howard who was wanted on charges stemming from a shooting incident in Helena – West Helena about a week ago.
The U.S. Marshals reported further that Marshals had arrested two suspects in Mississippi in the fatal shooting of Police Officer Travis Wallace with the Helena-West Helena Police Department (Arkansas) that occurred Thursday.
The U.S. Marshals were requested to assist in the apprehension of the primary suspect, Latarius Howard, 29, of Helena-West Helena, and suspected accomplice Bruce Hillie, 24, of Indianola, Mississippi.
U.S. Marshals investigators developed information that Howard had fled the state to Mississippi, and they found and arrested him without incident at a residence on Bryant Street in Shaw, Mississippi, early Friday morning.
Information was also developed on Hillie’s whereabouts, and U.S. Marshals arrested him at a residence on Henderson Street in Indianola early Friday morning. The vehicle believed to be used in the officer shooting was located at the Henderson Street address and was towed and placed in the custody of Arkansas authorities.
Officer Wallace was transported to an area hospital where he died at 7:10 PM.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, the Helena-West Helena Police Department and all impacted by the loss of Officer Travis Wallace who was killed in the line of duty. #RIP Officer Wallace Conway Police Dept
Officer Wallace is survived by his mother and two children.
Governor Asa Hutchinson ordered the United States flag and the Arkansas flag to be lowered to half-staff in tribute to the memory of Officer Travis Wallace, a Helena-West Helena police officer who was killed in the line of duty last night. The flag shall be lowered immediately and remain at half-staff to the day of interment.
Governor Hutchinson released this statement:
“I was heartsick to hear that we have lost another police officer in the line of duty. Helena-West Helena Officer Travis Wallace was shot and killed as he pursued a suspect in a violent crime. Officer Wallace’s death is a tragic reminder that our police officers risk their lives with every encounter and every traffic stop. In his 10-year career as an officer, Travis risked his life for hundreds of people. Let us honor his memory by renewing our respect and support for all officers. I offer my condolences to Officer Wallace’s family and his fellow officers.”