S2D2 in the News

• OFFICERS KILLED DEPLOYING STOP STICKS - Mark Carthron knew the dangers of becoming an Arkansas State Trooper long before he ever decided to become one. The father of one of his classmates and friends was a state trooper who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 1984. The slain trooper's name was Louis Bryant. Maybe it was the fact that his t-ball coach, Sergeant Bill Fuller, was a member of the Arkansas State Police and had left quite an impression on the youngster. But, no matter the reason, Mark overlooked the dangers of the job and made the choice to join the ranks of the Arkansas State Police eight years ago. By all accounts he was one of the best. It all ended, though, when robbers attempted to elude police during a high-speed chase on the evening of Sunday, September 11, 2005. Trooper Carthron had deployed spike sticks to deflate the tires of the suspect vehicle. His efforts were successful and the suspects were captured, but as he went to retrieve the spike sticks from the roadway, he was struck by one of the pursuing patrol vehicles and mortally wounded. He died the next morning. With the growing number of law officers and innocent citizens being killed or injured in high speed chases, more and more departments are changing their policies to limit the number of police pursuits. A popular alternative has been the use of spike strips to disable a fleeing vehicle. But, unfortunately, there is increasing evidence that the deployment of these spike strips, or "stop sticks" as they are commonly referred, pose their own unique hazard to law enforcement personnel. In fact, Corporal Carthron was the second law enforcement officer in less than a week killed while deploying stop sticks. On September 6, Lino Lakes (MN) Police Officer Shawn Silvera was struck and killed by a fleeing fugitive driving a stolen car. The suspect, who was wanted on a felony assault warrant, took police on a 13-mile chase at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Officer Silvera had deployed stop sticks across the highway and was standing in the median strip when the suspect vehicle swerved around the sticks and into the median, striking and killing Officer Silvera. A citizen who witnessed part of the chase and aftermath said, "I just feel so sorry for the police officers. It's such a dangerous job, and it's got to be tough trying to make the right call in these things."

  Read More - http://www.nleomf.com/TheMemorial/tributes/stopsticks.htm

• - August 9, 2006 Contact: Marian OBriant Telephone: 273-5110 Cell Phone: 755-8640 Pager: 330-4807 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Knoxville man evades arrest, deputies deploy Stop Sticks Blount County Sheriff James Berrong said today that deputies deployed Stop Sticks late Monday night to successfully end a pursuit that started in Blount County and ended in Knox County. Bobby ONeil Sharp, Jr., 26, Fairmont Boulevard, Knoxville, is being held at the Blount County Detention Facility on bonds totaling $60,000 on charges including possession of a Schedule II controlled substance with intent to resale (methadone), evading arrest, and three counts of felony reckless endangerment. Sharp will face his charges in Blount County General Sessions Court at 9 a.m. August 16. A Blount County Sheriffs deputy was attempting to make a traffic stop for a registration violation on a Chevrolet Cavalier on Airport Highway at around 11:30 p.m. Monday. The vehicle pulled into the parking lot of Ken Jo Market, drove through the lot, and continued onto Alcoa Highway. An additional deputy joined the pursuit into Knox County. The Cavalier exited onto John Sevier Highway, and jumped the median, almost wrecking. The vehicle then continued into oncoming traffic. The lead deputy was able to maneuver his vehicle in front of the Cavalier and deployed his Stop Sticks from the inside of his vehicle. The Stop Sticks are encased in a box mounted on the undercarriage of the patrol vehicle. The Cavalier struck the Stop Sticks, causing the right front tire and rear tires to flatten. The Cavalier continued on John Sevier Highway, and was boxed in by the two pursuing cruisers. The vehicle turned into a driveway, where he was taken into custody by the two deputies. No one was injured during the pursuit, and a female passenger was not taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, several methadone tablets were found. Sharp also has eight active warrants out of Sevier County, one active warrant out of Knox County, and he was also served with an attachment for contempt by Blount County for driving on a suspended license. The Sheriffs Office installed 20 Stop Stick devices in the patrol vehicles of supervisors and the Traffic Safety Unit in the winter of 2006. Monday nights incident marks the first deployment of the Stop Sticks. The Stop Sticks are deployed from the inside of the vehicle for the safety of the officer. # # #