Washington County sheriff recognizes deputies, police in the wake of deputy's shooting

Lt. Tion Augustine (center) smiles Thursday as he stands during a ceremony with all of the members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office staff involved in a call March 15 resulting in Augustine being shot at the Sheriff’s Office annex in Fayetteville.
Lt. Tion Augustine (center) smiles Thursday as he stands during a ceremony with all of the members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office staff involved in a call March 15 resulting in Augustine being shot at the Sheriff’s Office annex in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Lt. Tion Augustine clenched his jaw and stood up despite being in pain. Two fellow Washington County deputies hovered at each of his elbows. His walker stood in front of him, just in case he started to fall.

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NWA Democrat-Gazette

Alfred Stamps (center), Washington County resident, is escorted to the stage Thursday by Sheriff Tim Helder (left) and Lt. Tion Augustine after receiving the Sheriff’s Office’s Outstanding Citizen Award during a ceremony in Fayetteville. Stamps assisted with moving Augustine to safety after he was shot responding to a call March 15.

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NWA Democrat-Gazette

Sgt. Oscar Henson (center) reaches to hug Lt. Tion Augustine on Thursday after receiving the Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s Medal of Valor.

Augustine has been in the hospital since he was shot on duty March 15.

Washington County Sheriff’s Office Awards & Promotional Ceremony

Washington County deputies were recognized Thursday for achieving milestones in their careers, including promotions, said Major Rick Hoyt, master of ceremony.

Eight deputies were promoted to corporal since October. Those are: Richard Bell, Doug Cantrell Brian Magee, Robert Marsh, Donte’ McGaugh, John Schuster, William Sweeney and Brian Velasco.

Nolan Ake, Audrey Gardner, John “Bret” Hagan, T.J. Rennie and Bruce Strain were promoted to sergeant. Two deputies — Tion Augustine and Josh McConnell — were promoted to lieutenant, and Kenny Yates was promoted to captain.

Source: Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Other Awards

• Cpl. Autumn Holland was awarded Thursday the Commendation Bar during the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Awards & Promotional Ceremony at the Sheriff’s Office annex. The award is given for traits including unusual attention to duty. Holland was able to talk a man into handing over his shotgun and commit himself for a mental evaluation during a burglary call Jan. 4. She gave the 4th Judicial Drug Task Force information that led to the force finding 337 pounts of marijuana and more than $81,000 in cash.

• Fourteen deputies and communications officials were awarded the Sheriff’s Unit Citation: Lt. Scott Young, Sgt. Oscar Henson, Cpl. Mark Pifer, Cpl. Anja Stewart, Cpl. Richard Bell, Lead Dispatcher Lauren Wilson, Tiffany Doughty, Erin Oelrich, Nathan Phillips, Seith Redmon, Kaitlin Robinson, Stacey Warren, Wes Williams and Lt. Tion Augustine. The citation was given for the group’s teamwork during the shooting incident involving Plumlee.

• The Medal of Merit was awarded to deputies involved in the search for Plumlee. Those are: Lt. Tion Augustine Lt. Scott Young, Cpl. Mark Pifer, Cpl. Anja Stewart and Cpl. Richard Bell.

SOURCE: Washington County Sheriff’s Office

On Thursday, about 300 Washington County residents and Sheriff's Office employees turned out for the Awards & Promotional Ceremony to honor Augustine and other deputies who responded to the shootout. The ceremony also recognized deputies who were promoted, honored for their actions on duty or recognized for their long service.

Augustine was promoted to lieutenant shortly before he was shot but was officially recognized Thursday.

Augustine said he's not the hero. He didn't deserve to be labeled a hero, that title belonged to the people who helped save his life, he said. The least Augustine could do was to stand up for those people as they were recognized, he said.

Augustine had been shot after going to check on Raymond Lee Plumlee, 24, who was reportedly suicidal, at 5334 E. Bob Lawrence Road, according to a preliminary report.

When deputies and Fayetteville police arrived, they heard gunshots, the report shows. As they searched for Plumlee and tried to cross a field, Plumlee opened fire on them, Sheriff Tim Helder said Thursday. Augustine's leg suddenly collapsed under him, Helder said. He had been shot with a 12-gauge shotgun slug.

Another slug was lodged into a tree Washington County deputy Sgt. Oscar Henson used for cover, Helder said.

Henson saw Augustine was shot, grabbed him and dragged him toward safety, according to a previous Sheriff's Office news release posted online. Fayetteville police Cpl. Ken Willyard provided cover for them.

Then, Fayetteville police Sgt. Tony Murphy suddenly appeared and helped Henson, the release shows. Washington County Lt. Scott Young arrived helped Willyard provide cover.

Law enforcement continued to search for Plumlee, according to records. Meanwhile, the ambulance couldn't reach Augustine, officials said. Plumlee's neighbor, Alfred Stamps, drove Augustine through the "danger zone" to get him to the ambulance, Helder said.

Augustine was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to repair a shattered bone. Plumlee was found and arrested.

"Heroes aren't born on a day like this, they are just revealed," Helder said about the shooting. "Isn't it amazing?"

Helder recognized dispatchers and deputies involved in the search for Plumlee and for saving Augustine.

Stamps was awarded the Outstanding Citizen Award; Henson was awarded the Medal of Valor for his bravery. Others, including Augustine, were awarded merit awards, the Sheriff's Unit Citation and Commendation Bar.

Helder presented Willyard and Young with the Sheriff's Office creed coins, which generally aren't given outside the Sheriff's Office, he said. The coins were a surprise, Willyard said.

Willyard said couldn't talk about what the recognition meant to him -- the event was too emotional.

Several law enforcement officials teared up throughout the ceremony. Helder stood silently at the podium, his eyes glistening, as he tried to talk about the shooting of Augustine and the outpouring of community support for law enforcement since.

Calls and letters come in every day. Visitors bring food, posters and cards, Augustine and others said. Despite an anti-police perception nationally, Northwest Arkansas residents support their police and deputies, Helder said.

"I never realized the overwhelming support we have," Augustine said. I can't tell you how much that means to me."

Augustine is at a rehabilitation hospital, Cantrell said. He's expected to make a full recovery but hasn't yet been released by a doctor, she said.

Plumlee remained Thursday at the Washington County Detention Center with no bond.

NW News on 04/01/2016

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