LITTLE ROCK — Two Hot Springs police officers have resigned in connection with an undisclosed occurrence that reportedly happened shortly after a high-speed pursuit ended in Garland County on Sept. 26.
Officer First Class Scott Lampinen and officer Josh Heckel both submitted their resignations, which were accepted and made effective Oct. 12, according to police Cpl. Mc-Crary Means.
"Due to an ongoing investigation, no other information can be released at this time," Means said. "After the investigation is completed, there will be another release."
The event began in Hot Spring County shortly after 9 p.m. when an armed suspect, sought in connection with a shooting in Malvern, was being pursued by Hot Spring County sheriff's deputies and Arkansas State Police on U.S. 270.
The pursuit, which reached speeds in excess of 100 mph, left U.S. 270 as the suspect turned onto Catherine Heights Road, eventually reaching Shady Grove Road, where Garland County sheriff's deputies disabled the pickup's tires with spike strips.
The pursuit finally ended in the 1000 block of Shady Grove Road when the suspect's truck left the road and hit a tree.
Sheriffs' officers from both counties, the Arkansas State Police and Hot Springs police converged on the pickup and took the suspect into custody. Lampinen and Heckel were both present at the scene.
The occurrence took place after the pursuit had ended and the suspect was in custody. The suspect, who reportedly declined medical treatment, was turned over to Hot Spring County authorities and taken to Malvern.
Arkansas, Pages 10 on 10/25/2007