WASHINGTON -- Law enforcement across the United States is mourning the loss of three officer shot and killed in the line of duty over the weekend.
The slayings of officers in Huntsville, Alabama; Houston, Texas; and Fayetteville, Arkansas took occurred over a less-than 48-hour span Friday and Saturday, according to police officials.
On Friday night, Huntsville Police Officer Billy Fred Clardy III, the son of Officer Billy Clardy Jr. who was killed in an on-duty crash 41 years ago, was fatally around 4 p.m. during a drug task force operation. When the suspect arrived at the location, officials said that he drew a gun and shot Clardy in the chest. Clardy was wearing a bullet proof vest, but the bullet went through the top of the vest and into the officer’s heart. Officers returned fire at the suspect, who was uninjured and taken into police custody.
Clardy had been a Huntsville police officer since 2005.
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Saturday evening, Houston Police Sgt. Christopher Brewster was shot in the chest with a semi-automatic pistol during a domestic disturbance near the Magnolia Park neighborhood.
Officers were called at about 5:50 p.m. to the 7400 block of Avenue I after a woman told 911 dispatchers that her boyfriend was assaulting her and that he had two firearms. Houston Police Chief Acevedo told reporters that 25-year-old Arturo Solis allegedly fired multiple rounds at Brewster, striking him several times before fleeing.
Brewster had been with the Houston Police Department since 2010
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Saturday night, Fayetteville Officer Stephen Carr was fatally shot behind the department after being ambushed by a gunman.
Gunshots were heard behind the building around 9:42 p.m. and officers inside the police department immediately responded and heard additional gunshots. Officers located an armed suspect directly behind the police department, later identified as 35-year-old London T. Phillips.
Phillips had a confrontation with officers resulting in the officers firing their weapons at the man. Following the shooting, officers located Officer Stephen Carr shot inside his patrol vehicle, while parked at the police department.
Officers immediately rendered aid to both the officer and suspect. Fayetteville Fire Department and Central EMS arrived on scene and began life saving efforts for both the officer and suspect. Both the wounded officer and suspect succumbed to their injuries and died at the scene.
Carr had served with the Fayetteville Police Department for 2-1/2 years.
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On Sunday, the National Fraternal Order of Police made the following statement: "In 48 hours 3 families, 3 agencies, 3 states, and 1 Nation experienced tragedy and horror. 3 senseless acts of violence committed by 3 cowards against 3 guardians, that vowed to protect the communities that they serve."
All of the incidents are currently under investigation and funeral arrangements for the fallen officers are pending.
