Veteran cop dies after suspects run over and drag him when they try to flee a traffic stop - as both driver and passenger are charged with capital murder
An Arkansas police officer was killed Saturday after a vehicle he approached rammed into him and dragged him during a traffic stop.
Shawna Rhae Cash, 22, from Pine Bluff and Elijah Anadoloza Sr. 18, from Bella Vista have been arrested and charged with capital murder and attempted capital murder after allegedly running down Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple on Saturday.
'Our department is in shock right now. We're a home town. Everyone in our Police Department are family,' said Pea Ridge Police Lt. Michael Lisenbee, public information officer.
Apple, a 23-year law enforcement veteran, and fellow officer Brian Stamps, had responded to a call to be on the lookout for a blue Jeep in relation to a recent property crime.
They spotted one fitting the description at a White Oak Lake, Arkansas, convenience store and gas station and decided to use their cars to box it in, before talking to the driver at around 12.09pm, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
But when Apple walked up to speak to the driver, the Jeep reportedly rammed the police vehicles, and then ran over and dragged Apple as the car pulled away.
Elijah Anadoloza, 18, and Shawna Rhae Cash, 22, were charged with capital murder and attempted capital murder after a Jeep they were in rammed and dragged Arkansas police officer Kevin Apple, killing him on Saturday
Stamps reportedly shot at the Jeep as it drove away, and Apple died on the scene.
Neighboring departments, including the Benton County Sheriff's Office and Arkansas State Police tracked Cash and Anadoloza down, arresting them in Bella Vista.
One suspect reportedly tried running away from the arresting officers but was found in a nearby trailer, according to 5 News.
Cash has a criminal record in Arkansas dating back to 2018, when she pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge, according to online court records.
Apple was killed at a gas station after he and fellow officer approached a Jeep that matched the description of that involved in a property crime
Apple and the fellow officer parked their vehicles next to the Jeep. As Apple walked up to speak to the driver, the Jeep rammed the cars and ran over Apple as it fled
She pleaded guilty again in 2019 for another drug possession charge and again that same year to burglary and theft charges.
In late 2019 she was arrested again for drug possession, and in early 2020 she was charged with property theft and credit card fraud and was arrested twice earlier this year for theft by receiving.
A candlelight vigil was held in Pea Ridge for Apple on Saturday night.
On Sunday morning law enforcement personnel people from across the area held a procession for Apple, as his body was escorted from the Benton County Coroner's Office to the Arkansas Sate Crime Lab.
A candelight vigil was held in Apple's honor Saturday evening
A procession was held early Sunday morning, as law enforcement escorted Apple's body from the Benton County Coroner's Office to the Arkansas Sate Crime Lab
Dozens of police vehicles could be seen lining up in Bentonville for the procession in honor of the fallen officer.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson ordered flags at half staff in tribute to Apple, who had been with the Pea Ridge department for three years.
'I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Pea Ridge police officer Kevin Apple,' he wrote on Twitter. 'My prayers are with Officer Apple's family and the entire Pea Ridge community during this time.'
Arksansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge also shared her condolences.
'My heart aches as today marks the end of Officer Kevin Apple's watch,' she tweeted. 'He will forever be remembered for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding his community from harm.'
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