If Pope County deputies weren’t responding to domestic disturbances or traffic accidents over the weekend, there was a pretty good chance they were looking for a cow.
Apparently, several members of the local cattle population decided the grass really was greener on the other side of the fence. Between loose livestock calls and an unfortunate encounter between a cow and a Jeep, officers had their share of four-legged troublemakers.
There was even a possible bear sighting that turned out to be something considerably smaller.
But the weekend also brought more serious calls, including a suspected vehicle arson, domestic violence arrests, a woman found unconscious in a shed following an extensive search and several injury accidents.
Here’s a look at police, fire and EMS dispatch traffic from Saturday, October 24, through Monday morning, October 26.
2:10 a.m. — Suspected vehicle arson on Cothren Lane
Deputies responded to Cothren Lane after a woman reported that someone had set fire to the bed of her boyfriend’s pickup truck. The woman reported she had a suspect in mind but acknowledged she had not witnessed anyone starting the fire. A deputy instructed dispatch to classify the incident as arson and notify the fire department.
4:35 a.m. — Woman found unconscious following search in Dover and Hector area
An early morning welfare check turned into an extensive search after Pope County deputies were dispatched to an apartment on Sequoyah Drive in Dover over concerns that a woman took actions of self-harm over a video chat.
Deputies couldn’t locate the woman at the apartment and began checking other locations, contacting relatives and following up on information about where she might have gone. A deputy entered the apartment through a window after removing the screen, but the woman was not there.
The search eventually led deputies to a property on Newton Springs Road, where she was later found unconscious inside a shed around 5:49 a.m. She was transported to Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center around 6:23 a.m.
7:27 a.m. — Vehicle strikes deer on Interstate 40
A black Subaru Outback collided with a deer near eastbound mile marker 95. Airbags deployed, but the driver did not request an ambulance. A wrecker was called.
8:55 a.m. — Injury accident on Interstate 40
A Mini Cooper left eastbound I-40 near mile marker 96.3, striking a tree and fence line. The driver was conscious and talking when responders arrived. He was transported to Saint Mary’s around 9:31 a.m.
11:45 a.m. — Domestic disturbance on Shrine Street
Deputies responded to a reported disturbance on Shrine Street. The victim told officers she did not want to pursue charges, and the parties were separated.
1:23 p.m. — Possible missing woman and assault allegation
Deputies received information about a woman whose family had been unable to contact her following an encounter police investigated last week, in which the woman had allegedly been kicked out of a vehicle and had her purse and phone taken.
Subsequent information from Atkins indicated the woman had voluntarily left a Casey’s convenience store with the man on Thursday. Family members were checking additional information and indicated they might contact authorities again.
1:57 p.m. — Trespassing dispute on Tucker Mountain Road
Deputies responded to several calls throughout the day involving a dispute on Tucker Mountain Road. The property owner wanted a man staying in camper removed. By approximately 6:50 p.m., deputies made contact with the man, who had moved his camper to a friend’s property down the road. A criminal trespass warning was entered.
3:14 p.m. — Possible bear turns out to be something much smaller
A Gravel Hill Road resident called authorities after discovering that an animal had dug a hole in her yard and apparently crawled inside.
She feared it might be a bear.
Responders went out to rule out that Smokey or Yogi had moved into the area. They determined it appeared to be a small armadillo or opossum.
A considerable downgrade in both size and ferocity.
3:22 p.m. — Domestic disturbance leads to arrest on Hickey Lane
Deputies and EMS responded to Hickey Lane, between London and Russellville, after a woman reported being struck during an ongoing argument. Jimmy Dale Boddie, 64, was arrested by the Pope County Sheriff’s Office. Booking information listed third-degree domestic battering and interference with emergency communication. He was booked at 4:33 p.m.
5:02 p.m. — Cows loose on West Main Street in Atkins
Several cows were reported wandering along the 3500 block of West Main Street. By 5:15 p.m., the animals had been secured, and someone was working to repair the fence.
5:15 p.m. — Domestic disturbance leads to arrest on Old Three Knob Mountain Road
Deputies responded to Old Three Knob Mountain Road north of Dover after a woman reported that a man had become physical with her and was preventing her from leaving. Dakota Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Pope County jail.
The address would generate another, more serious call early Sunday morning.
5:30 p.m. — Female inmate injured at Pope County jail
Emergency personnel responded after a female inmate in her 50s fell in a shower at the Pope County jail and was believed to have suffered a possible hip fracture. The woman was transported to Saint Mary’s.
8:57 p.m. — Outdoor cooking fire draws burn ban complaint
Fire personnel responded to Rivera Cove for a possible burn ban violation. The fire was determined to have been an outdoor cooking fire that had already been extinguished. The resident was advised of burn ban restrictions.
11:48 p.m. — Dog bite on North Nashville Avenue
A 46-year-old woman requested emergency assistance after being bitten by her dog on her left arm and leg. The caller also requested animal control. She was transported to Saint Mary’s.
Additional Saturday call — Reckless driver on Pisgah Road
Dispatch traffic also included a reckless driving complaint on Pisgah Road. No time, vehicle description or outcome was captured in the notes.
12:48 a.m. — Deputies return to Old Three Knob Mountain Road over reported gunfire
Deputies responded again to the Old Three Knob Mountain Road residence where Dakota Smith had been arrested Saturday afternoon. The caller reported that Smith, who had apparently been released from jail following the earlier arrest, was outside firing a pistol into the air and making concerning statements.
Officers arrived shortly after 1 a.m. and reported that the man was coming out of the residence with his hands up. He was detained while deputies checked a revolver and requested a nonemergency EMS evaluation.
The call ended with the man in the care of emergency medical personnel.
1:35 p.m. — Stranded tractor-trailer blocks Highway 7
A tractor-trailer became stranded along Highway 7 north of Dover near Mack’s Pines. The truck was reported to be blocking the southbound lane in a sharp curve, creating a potential traffic hazard.
1:44 p.m. — Head injury at Old Post Park
Emergency crews responded to Old Post Park after a man in his 40s fell backward and struck his head. The incident occurred near the parking area and stairs leading toward the shoreline. The man was transported to Saint Mary’s.
2:45 p.m. — Death reported at Atkins residence
Emergency personnel responded to a residence on Avenue 8 Southeast in Atkins, where a death was confirmed. The Pope County coroner was notified and responded to the scene. Unattended deaths are not an uncommon occurrence and do not indicate that foul play has occurred.
3:05 p.m. — Family disturbance in Atkins
Atkins police responded to a verbal disturbance on Northeast Fourth Street involving a juvenile.
3:09 p.m. — Possible firearm reported during confrontation on Mountain Gate Drive
Deputies responded to Mountain Gate Drive after a woman reported that a man had pulled up outside her residence in a blue Ford F-150 and appeared to remove a gun from the truck. Deputies located and detained him, the issued criminal trespass complaints involving two addresses.
4:22 p.m. — Reported hit-and-run near Blackwell
Arkansas State Police began looking for a vehicle after a Subaru was reportedly sideswiped in the Blackwell area around 4 p.m. The other vehicle allegedly continued without stopping. A trooper subsequently made contact with a white Toyota Sequoia near interstate mile marker 83.
4:44 p.m. — Three-vehicle accident on Highway 7
A three-vehicle collision was reported on Highway 7 near Walnut Valley Road north of Dover. The caller contacted dispatch again a few minutes later to report that all three vehicles had left the scene, although debris remained in the roadway.
Arkansas State Police later located them.
4:56 p.m. — Welfare check leads to warrant arrest at Twin Dikes boat ramp
Deputies responded to the Twin Dikes boat ramp after a caller expressed concern about a man who had reportedly been camping there for approximately a month.
Officers encountered two individuals at the location. A woman was arrested after deputies determined she had outstanding warrants.
The man relocated. Officers noted that they had not ordered him to leave and that he had made the decision voluntarily.
5:31 p.m. — Fire alarm at Baswell Residence Hall
Russellville firefighters responded to a commercial fire alarm at Baswell Residence Hall on North El Paso Avenue. It was determined to be a false alarm
5:50 p.m. — Single-vehicle accident at I-40 exit
Arkansas State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash at the eastbound Interstate 40 offramp near mile marker 94.
No injuries were initially reported, but the vehicle was believed to be totaled.
6:52 p.m. — Possible trespass on West Main Street in Atkins
A caller on West Main Street reported seeing a light in the woods behind the property and was unsure whether it was a flashlight or a fire.
Officers checked the area but did not locate anyone or anything suspicious.
6:58 p.m. — Jeep collides with cow on Gold Hill Road
Deputies responded to Gold Hill Road after a blue Jeep Compass struck a cow. The caller said they weren’t sure where the cow went after the accident.
12:30 a.m. — Another cow makes a break for it
Just when deputies might have thought the weekend’s livestock adventures were over, another cow was reported loose near Happy Valley Church. Officers located the black cow around the 4000 block of Highway 326.
The animal repeatedly tried to get back through a fence on the south side of the highway. A nearby resident was contacted to assist, but by approximately 1:12 a.m., the cow had wandered into the woods and disappeared.
No word on whether it eventually found its way home.
7:36 a.m. — Motorcyclist injured in deer collision on Interstate 40
A Kawasaki motorcycle collided with a deer on eastbound Interstate 40 near mile marker 89. A man believed to be in his 20s reportedly slid approximately 200 yards across the pavement.
Arkansas State Police responded, a wrecker was requested, and the rider was transported to Saint Mary’s around 8:24 a.m.
7:43 a.m. — Two-vehicle injury accident at Dwight Mission Road and Highway 64
Emergency crews responded to the intersection of Dwight Mission Road and U.S. Highway 64 west of Russellville following a collision involving an SUV and a Toyota Tundra.
A 20-year-old woman was reportedly bleeding but was conscious and responsive. By approximately 8:14 a.m., everyone involved had been evaluated, and all declined ambulance transportation.
8:05 a.m. — Donuts and vehicle damage on Crystal Drive
Deputies responded to Crystal Drive after a caller reported that someone had been doing donuts in a vehicle and struck the caller’s father’s car. Officers developed information about a possible suspect at a nearby residence.
They subsequently located the individual, whose vehicle had apparently been parked somewhere else.
A wrecker was requested to tow the vehicle.
This Police Beat is compiled from preliminary police, fire and EMS dispatch traffic. Information provided to dispatchers may be incomplete, disputed or unverified, and the outcome of a call may change following an investigation.
