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06.02.10 Recent Promotion Announcement

The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department is pleased to announce the promotion of three officers to the rank of Sergeant.

Corporal Sam McJunkins has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He began his law enforcement career with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department in March of 1994.  Since that time, Sgt. McJunkins has been assigned to the to the Patrol Division as a patrol officer, the Criminal Investigation Division as a sex offender detective and as detective with the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, the Special Operations Section as a Crime Suppression Officer, and a member of the Texarkana Metro SWAT Team.

Sgt. McJunkins has an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Texarkana College.  He holds a Senior Officer Certificate, Field Training Officer Certificate, and Instructor Certificate through The State of Arkansas' Commission of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. Sgt. McJunkins will assume duties as an assistant shift commander in the Patrol Division.  

His promotion date is as follows; promoted to Sergeant (effective) 03-07-2010

Corporal Chris Rankin has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He began his law enforcement career with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department in June of 1998. Since that time Sgt. Rankin has been assigned to the Patrol Division as a patrol officer, the Services Division as the Public Information Officer, the Special Operations Section as a Crime Suppression Officer, a member of the Texarkana Metro SWAT Team, and a member of the Explorer Post Committee.

Sgt. Rankin has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas A&M Texarkana.   He holds a Senior Officer Certificate, Field Training Officer Certificate, and Instructor Certificate through The State of Arkansas' Commission of Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

His promotion date is as follows; promoted to Sergeant (effective) 03-07-2010

Corporal James Atchley has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He began his law enforcement career with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department in July of 2000. Since that time Sgt. Atchley has been assigned to the Patrol Division as a patrol officer, the Criminal Investigation Division as a property crimes detective and as detective with the Bi-State Narcotics Task Force, and as a member of the Texarkana Metro SWAT Team.

Sgt. Atchley has a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas A&M Texarkana.  He holds a Senior Officer Certificate, and Instructor Certificate through The State of Arkansas' Commission of Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

His promotion date is as follows; promoted to Sergeant (effective) 05-30-2010

03.31.2010 Officers Rescue Man and Young Son from Burning Home

On Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at 3:30am, Officer Joe Rochelle was patrolling the area of Grand and East 9th Street when he observed a large smoke cloud to the south.  Upon investigating, Officer Rochelle, along with Officer Jeremy Gordon, followed the smoke and found a home in the 100 block of Senator fully engulfed in flames. 

Upon observing that the home next door was also on fire, Officer Rochelle and Gordon jumped over the fence and attempted to make contact with any possible occupants.  After knocking and yelling repeatedly, trying to making contact with anyone from inside, the officers broke out a front window and crawled inside an enclosed screened area, leading to the front door of the residence. 

At the front door to the residence Officers were able to make contact with a young boy (7 years of age) and his father, Randy Cook who were still inside the residence and unable to unlock the door.  By this time the fire had spread to the porch and the Officers were able to feel the extreme heat of the fire.   At that time, the Officers kicked open the front door to the residence.  While standing at the front door, Officers were able to observe the inside of the home was beginning to catch on fire.  Officer Rochelle grabbed the young boy and brought him outside to Officer Gordon, who carried him to safety.  Officer Rochelle went back into the house and helped Cook outside to safety.  Cook and his son sustained no injuries during the incident.

The Texarkana Arkansas Fire Department arrived on scene and began an investigation.  Please contact Deputy Fire Marshall, Terry Hughes for further information.

02.01.2010 TAPD Awards Ceremony

The Texarkana Police Department held an awards ceremony today on Tuesday, February 2nd, at 2:30 p.m. in the Texarkana Police Training Facility located on in the Bi-State Criminal Justice Center. 

During this ceremony, Chief Robert Harrison will be honoring a number of department personnel, including recent and past Officers of the Quarter and the current Officer of the Year, and recent departmental retirees.

The ceremony began by recognizing three recent retirees along with a plaque presentation.  The first to be recognized was Captain Ernest Keck who served as a member of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department for 35 years of service.  The second to be recognized was Corporal Randall Knotts who served as a member of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department for 23 years of service.  Lastly to be recognized was the criminal investigation division secretary, Pauletta Sims, who served as a member of the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department for 24 years of service.

Next to be recognized was the Officers of the quarters and the Officer of the Year for 2009, and are as follows; 

The award for the 1st Quarter of 2009 went to Det. James Atchley.  Det. Atchley was selected for being instrumental in the seizure of over $11,000 worth of narcotics and the arrests of 15 individuals for narcotic related charges.

The award for the 3rd Quarter of 2009 went to Corporal Ed Chattaway.  Cpl. Chattaway was selected for his actions that resulted in the arrest of a suspect, who was charged with 16 felony vehicle burglaries. 

The award for the 4th Quarter of 2009 went to Officer Eric Winters.  Officer Winters was selected for his actions which were instrumental in the arrest of 2 suspects who were ultimately charged with several residential burglaries committed in Texarkana, Arkansas.

The award for the 2nd Quarter of 2009 and also chosen as the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department Officer of the year for 2009 went to Sergeant Jason Shores.  Sgt Shores was chosen for his actions that resulted in numerous arrests made involving several different thefts and burglaries.  From these arrests made a large amount of property was located and returned to the victims. 

01.17.2010 Texarkana Arkansas Police Department Arrests Four In Recent Robbery

On Friday, January 15, 2010 at 10:00am, officers responded to Texar Federal Credit Union, 4800 Jefferson Avenue, in reference to a robbery call.  According to reports, an unknown B/M entered the bank, approached the teller and presented a note demanding money.  The suspect then fled the bank westbound on foot with an unspecified amount of money.

The suspect was described as a slender black male with a dark complexion, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and faded blue jeans, approximately 6’0 tall, weighing 150-175 pounds. 

Immediately following the robbery, Officer and Detectives began to search the area for evidence.  Officer Kevin Bounds and K-9 partner Bruno located the suspects’ sweatshirt, which contained over $13, 400 dollars in cash and a toy pistol inside the front pocket.

The evidence was recovered and officers set up surveillance to watch the area of where the money was located in case of the suspects return.  Within hours, Detectives Sgt. Jason Shores and Alan Fincher observed a suspicious vehicle circling closely in the area of the recovered evidence.  The occupants of the vehicle were identified as Justin Banks, 24, Darrell Banks, 18, and Phillip Gamble, 20, all of Texarkana. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Addrion Maddox, 19, of Texarkana, was the person who entered the bank.  All four suspects were arrested for aggravated robbery.  Maddox was located and arrested at his residence. 

01.17.2010 Texarkana Arkansas Police Department Website Update

The new website is ready and up and running. Please be patient with us as there may be some bugs here and there. They will definitely be worked out over time to bring you the most efficient information through our website.