State investigators identify Stone County, Ark., deputy killed in line of duty

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ark. (AP) - A Stone County, Ark., sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant, and a suspect is in custody, Arkansas State Police said Wednesday.

State police said Stone County Deputy Justin Smith was shot Tuesday afternoon at a home about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of Mountain View while trying to serve Clinton Hefton with a misdemeanor terroristic threatening warrant. Mountain View is about 112 miles southeast of Springfield.

State police, which is investigating the shooting, said early evidence indicates that Hefton, 52, resisted arrest and shot at Smith. The deputy was found fatally shot by officers who responded to reports of shots fired.

Officers later took Hefton into custody at the home after a brief standoff, state police said. Hefton is being held at the Cleburne County jail with charges pending. The jail’s inmate roster did not indicate an initial appearance had been set.

“At this time, we ask that everyone pray for Deputy Smith’s family and all of his law enforcement brothers and sisters,” Stone County Sheriff Brandon Long said in a news release.

Details of Deputy Smith’s memorial arrangements will be released later. The public is invited to visit a temporary tribute to Deputy Smith in the Mountain View courthouse square. A procession will depart the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory on Natural Resources Drive in Little Rock at 1 p.m. and proceed to Mountain View.

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