Suspect in death of police officer in Conway dies

Man, 33, was awaiting trial

BALD KNOB -- A White County man awaiting trial in the death of a Conway police officer, who was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic at the scene of a crash, died Monday.

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Barry Strickland, 33, was pronounced dead at White County Medical Center in Searcy, where he was taken by ambulance after being found unresponsive at his home near Bald Knob, the sheriff's office said.

"At this time no foul play is suspected; however, detectives with the White County sheriff's department are conducting a full investigation," said Phillip Miller, the chief sheriff's deputy.

The state medical examiner's office will conduct an autopsy.

Strickland was charged in Faulkner County in the Feb. 1, 2013, death of officer William Michael McGary, 26.

Before McGary died of his injuries, the prosecution charged Strickland with first-degree battery against a law enforcement officer in the line of duty, driving while intoxicated-drugs and other traffic offenses. The charges were not changed after the officer's death.

McGary died after authorities said Strickland's vehicle struck the officer, who was directing traffic at the scene of a wreck, authorities said.

A battery charge involving a law enforcement officer can mean a maximum sentence of 10 to 40 years or life in prison if there is a conviction.

Frank Shaw, a Conway attorney who represented Strickland, said he did not know the cause of Strickland's death.

Strickland was under pressure because of the trial, which was scheduled to begin Dec. 2 in Faulkner County Circuit Court in Conway, Shaw said.

The attorney said Strickland, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and was drawing only a small amount of disability pay that was not enough to make a living.

Shaw has previously said that toxicology results from the state Crime Laboratory indicated that at the time of the crash, Strickland was under the influence only of medications prescribed for the stress disorder.

"It's time that Arkansas develops a mental-health system that will enable our citizens to get appropriate [treatment]," Shaw said Monday. "The VA [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] was providing him treatment, but we all know the VA has failed miserably" in helping returning veterans.

Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland of Conway said, "Almost without exception, criminal defendants have an excuse or blame someone else for personal decisions that hurt innocent people. Barry Strickland's death is a tragedy for his family but he made the decision that resulted in the death of Will McGary and for that decision he was being held accountable.

"He [Strickland] was not, as has been suggested, a victim of society or the system; he was a criminal defendant that was being prosecuted for his crime. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the Conway Police Department as they continue to live with this tragic loss," Hiland said in an email.

State Desk on 11/12/2014

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