Conway County Confidential: Routine Vehicle Stop Goes Bad

We're informed today that Officer Joey Cannon was shot and killed during a more or less routine traffic stop in the early hours of Friday last.

Officer Cannon stopped a pickup truck that was being erratically operated and determined that the truck was stolen. In conjunction with a Conway County deputy they approached the vehicle, Cannon approaching the driver. Without warning, the driver shot Cannon in the chest and sped off.

Officer Cannon was probably not wearing his protective vest, because of back problems it is said. It is also said that because of the area of the wound, the vest might not have done him any good.

Montie Sims, acting president of the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police says, "It can happen anytime. There is no such thing as a routine traffic stop."