Arkansas Police Officer's Killer Gets Life, Plus 835 Years

CRITTENDEN COUNTY, Arkansas -- The man who killed an off-duty Forrest City police officer in 2018 received two life sentences plus 835 years on Wednesday.

Demarcus Donnell Parker, who was found guilty of first-degree murder by a Crittenden County jury in the 2018 fatal shooting of Officer Oliver Johnson, according to Arkansas Online.

Parker was shooting from a vehicle at rival gang members when a stray bullet struck the 25-year-old officer who was inside his home.

The jury also found Parker guilty of first-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, six counts of first-degree attempted murder and 15 counts of second-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle.

He was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge and for first-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle charge. He also was given 30 years for each of the six counts of first-degree attempted murder, 20 years for each of the 15 counts of second-degree unlawful discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, a 15-year enhancement of committing a felony with a firearm on each of the previous 23 counts, and another enhancement of 10 years for committing those felonies in the presence of a child.

Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington said investigators evaluated hundreds of pieces of evidence.

"The jury listened to both sides, and ultimately returned maximum sentences on all counts and recommended they be run consecutively,"  Ellington said in a statement. "Sadly, none of this will bring Officer Johnson back to his family, but maybe they will find some comfort that justice was served this week."

A trial is ongoing for George Jealvontia Henderson, a co-defendant in the shooting, faces similar charges and has pleaded innocent.