A dropped cell phone managed to report a traffic accident that never happened, a woman enjoyed some whiskey outside the Appleton Store, and deputies got an unexpected assist from a cow-owner group chat.
And somewhere along the way, a man who had deputies searching with a drone reportedly turned up hiding in a bathroom.
But Thursday and Friday also brought some serious calls, including a vehicle fire at Rotary Ann, a major Russellville traffic accident and a man who reportedly accidentally shot himself in the leg.
Here’s a look at police, fire and EMS activity across the River Valley from late Thursday morning, October 29, through Friday afternoon, October 30.
11:19 a.m. — Log truck takes down wires on Buttermilk Road
Deputies responded to the 1900 block of Buttermilk Road after a log truck struck overhead utility lines. The wires weren’t sparking, but they were hanging low enough that another passing vehicle could potentially strike them. Entergy was contacted, and the owner of the log truck returned to the scene.
The situation was resolved around 1:45 p.m. Authorities measured the lines and reported they were approximately 14 feet, 2 inches above the roadway.
11:49 a.m. — Another burn ban complaint on Crow Mountain Road
Deputies received a burn ban complaint at a residence on Crow Mountain Road.
Apparently, this wasn’t a new address to law enforcement. Dispatch traffic indicated the Sheriff’s Office alone had responded to approximately a dozen calls at the property for a wide variety of reasons.
12:30 p.m. — Welfare check on Highway 247
Deputies responded to a residence on Highway 247 after a family member reported being unable to contact an elderly aunt and uncle since the previous day. Both residents were in their 90s.
Deputies checked on the couple and found that everything was fine.
1:47 p.m. — Woman drinking whiskey outside Appleton Store
Deputies were dispatched to the Appleton Store on Highway 124 after someone reported a woman sitting on a bench outside drinking whiskey. Deputies located the woman and gave her a ride home. She planned to return later, preferably without the whiskey, to retrieve her vehicle.
3:02 p.m. — Alert issued for escaped Brinkley inmate
Law enforcement agencies received a BOLO for Rodney Smith, 41, an inmate reported to have escaped from the Brinkley jail after allegedly assaulting two officers.
Smith was described as approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 240 pounds and having multiple tattoos. The alert indicated he had last been seen around 7:37 a.m. running south along railroad tracks in Brinkley.
4:01 p.m. — Deputies search for man after possible overdose
An emergency call from the Lemay Lane area turned into an extensive search after a woman reported that a 54-year-old man may have taken too much medication. Before an ambulance could arrive, however, the man walked away from the residence.
According to the caller, he walks “abnormally fast,” which may have complicated efforts to find him. Deputies and family members began searching the area.
A drone was eventually brought in to help locate him, and officers checked another address on Josie Lane where he was known to spend time.
Emergency responders eventually cleared the scene around 5:33 p.m. without locating the man and issued a BOLO for him.
Deputies returned to Josie Lane Friday morning and spoke with the homeowner, who reportedly gave them permission to look around the home.
That’s where they finally found the man — hiding in a bathroom.
Deputies confirmed he was okay, canceled the missing-person alert and cleared the call.
4:19 p.m. — Cell phone reports a crash that apparently never happened
Atkins police responded to West Main Street after an automated cell phone crash detection alert indicated a possible accident. When officers arrived, they saw a motorcyclist getting back onto his motorcycle. The rider gave officers a thumbs-up, apparently indicating everything was fine.
It appeared the rider had simply dropped his phone, which decided to call for help on its own.
4:54 p.m. — Fired employee reportedly causes disturbance at Atkins Nursing Center
Atkins police responded to the Atkins Nursing Center after a recently terminated employee reportedly began yelling and cursing at people. The woman had already left before officers arrived.
Police took a statement and attempted to locate her but were unsuccessful.
8:10 p.m. — Possible overdose on Pew Lane
Deputies and EMS responded to Pew Lane after a man in his 30s was reportedly experiencing an overdose. He declined ambulance transportation, with officers indicating he planned to go to the hospital with family members.
11:09 p.m. — Deer goes through windshield on Highway 164 East
Deputies received a report of a vehicle striking a deer on Highway 164 East. The caller reported that the deer had gone through the windshield of a Subaru Crosstrek. No injuries to humans were reported.
7:11 a.m. — Another cow on the loose, and now there’s a group chat
Deputies received a report of a dark-colored cow wandering near Highway 326 and Lower Pine Hill Road.
Authorities contacted possible owners, who began checking their cow-owner group chat to figure out whether anyone was missing livestock.
Yes, apparently there’s a group chat for that.
8:07 a.m. — Death reported on South Glenwood Avenue
Emergency personnel responded to a residence on South Glenwood Avenue for an unattended death.
8:22 a.m. — Hacksaw and damaged pickup prompt welfare concern
Deputies responded to Pleasant Grove Assembly of God Church on Highway 7 North after a caller reported seeing a woman kneeling beside a pickup truck that had a busted window while holding a hacksaw.
It was an older-model Dodge pickup with “Outlaw” written on the back.
Officers immediately recognized the vehicle as belonging to a familiar family and determined the individuals were waiting for someone to bring them gasoline.
9:16 a.m. — Three-vehicle crash with overturned vehicle on South Knoxville Avenue
Emergency crews responded to a serious three-vehicle accident at South Knoxville Avenue and East 11th Street in Russellville. When crews arrived, one vehicle was still on its side.
Firefighters worked to extricate an occupant, completing the rescue around 9:34 a.m.
Two ambulances were requested, and Survival Flight 7 was placed on ground standby in case air transportation was necessary.
The helicopter request was canceled around 9:52 a.m. Both ambulances transported patients to Saint Mary’s.
10:48 a.m. — Main gas leak reported on East 11th Street
Emergency personnel received a report of a gas main leak near 1010 East 11th Street in Russellville.
10:51 a.m. — Elevator concern at Pope County Courthouse
Emergency personnel were notified of a possible elevator problem at the Pope County Courthouse. The situation was checked, and officials determined there was nothing wrong with the elevator.
11:31 a.m. — SUV catches fire at Rotary Ann recreation area
Firefighters responded to the Rotary Ann recreation area along Highway 7 North after a Hyundai SUV caught fire near the restroom. Everyone had gotten out of the vehicle before emergency crews arrived.
Martin Township and Dover Rural firefighters responded, as well as National Forest Service officials. The fire began spreading into the grass between the driveway and Highway 7, raising concerns about the possibility of flames moving into the surrounding wooded area.
A fire plow was requested as a precaution.
By approximately 12:05 p.m., the SUV was fully engulfed in flames, but firefighters reported that the grass fire was out and the flames had not reached nearby trees.
1:26 p.m. — Man reportedly accidentally shoots himself in leg
Emergency personnel responded to the Gumlog area following a report of a gunshot wound.
A 55-year-old man reportedly told responders he had accidentally shot himself in the leg with a .22-caliber firearm. The round was reported to have passed completely through his leg.
The man was in a vehicle that pulled into Gumlog Fellowship Church near West Gumlog Road.
Emergency responders requested an Air Evac helicopter from Johnson County, with the landing zone at the Pope County shop.
This Police Beat is compiled from preliminary police, fire and EMS dispatch traffic. Information reported to dispatchers may be incomplete or unverified, and the outcome of an incident may change following further investigation. An arrest or allegation does not establish guilt.
