Memphis Police Officer Shot, Killed During Traffic Stop
Jody Callahan
9:56 PM, Aug 1, 2015
For the third time in barely more than four years, a Memphis police officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty.
Sean Bolton died from multiple gunshot wounds after he was shot just after 9:15 p.m. while conducting a traffic stop at Cottonwood and Perkins in Parkway Village Saturday night.
Bolton was rushed to the Regional Medical Center, but was pronounced dead there. The suspect, apparently an occupant of the car that was pulled over, was still at large late Saturday.
Dozens of officers from the Memphis Police Department gathered outside the hospital in a grim vigil Saturday night, waiting for news about Bolton, who served in the Marines. Officers from other departments, including the Shelby County Sheriff and the state troopers, joined them in a show of support.
In a briefing outside Regional Medical Center, Police Director Toney Armstrong told the media that a citizen used the officer’s radio to call for help. The officer was hit with multiple gunshots, he said.
“The suspect is still at large and officers are in the area trying to locate him at this time,” Armstrong said. “We are using all the means available to use to find the people responsible for this.”
Mayor A C Wharton said this tragedy emphasizes the dangers of the job.
“This speaks volumes about he inherent dangers of police work,” Wharton said.
Bolton, who graduated from White Station High School in 1999, served a tour in Iraq. He studied political science at the University of Memphis.
Bolton served as best man at his brother Brian's wedding at Woodland Presbyterian Church on Park Ave. on June 20. Less than two weeks after that wedding, Bolton's father died on July 2, according to his Facebook page.
Armstrong also referenced two other officers killed in the line of duty during his time leading the department.
On July 3, 2011 Officer Timothy Warren was shot and killed in a downtown hotel. On Dec. 14, 2012, Officer Martoiya Lang was shot and killed while serving a warrant.
“We’ve been here before,” Armstrong said. “This is my third time in four years I’ve been director. It never gets any easier.”
Staff reporter Kelly Fisher contributed to this story.
TBI to investigate Memphis police shooting of Darrius Stewart
Jody Callahan
4:15 PM, Jul 20, 2015
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will lead the inquiry into the fatal shooting by a Memphis police officer after a traffic stop Friday night, officials said Monday.
Darrius Stewart, 19, was shot and killed a little before midnight after the officer pulled over the car he was riding in near 5799 Winchester.
Memphis police won’t identify the officer involved but said during a press conference Monday afternoon that he is white. Stewart was black. When asked the officer’s name, Memphis police said the information would have to come from the TBI. However, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said his agency would not be releasing the officer's name.
“I’m aware this incident is on the forefront of media coverage, and I’m equally aware of the national sentiment and the appearance of this shooting. A Caucasian police officer shoots and kills an African-American male. We all know of the examples that have occurred in the last year from Ferguson to Baltimore, and the climate that we now live in must be taken into account,” Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said at the press conference.
“We are going to be transparent and to get to the bottom of what happened and why it happened,” Armstrong added. “There are questions that must be answered, and as a law enforcement agency, we have a responsibility to make sure that those questions are answered, and that all concerns are properly addressed.”
According to police, the officer pulled over a blue 2009 Chevrolet Malibu for a headlight problem. The officer put Stewart in the back of the squad car without handcuffs, police said, while he tried to verify that Stewart was the subject of two active warrants.
Shortly after verifying the warrants, police said, the officer reported by radio that the suspect had been shot and requested an ambulance.
According to police, the officer opened the door to handcuff Stewart. Police said Stewart then kicked the door and attacked the officer, using the handcuffs to strike him. Police said the officer then pulled his weapon and fired. Stewart was transported to the Regional Medical Center in critical condition, but later was pronounced dead.
Both Armstrong and Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich said at the press conference that they want the investigation to be “open and transparent.”
“If and when the time comes when all of the information can be shared with the community, we will do that,” Weirich said.
Although Memphis police records are public, TBI reports are sealed by state law.
9:56 PM, Aug 1, 2015
For the third time in barely more than four years, a Memphis police officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty.
Sean Bolton died from multiple gunshot wounds after he was shot just after 9:15 p.m. while conducting a traffic stop at Cottonwood and Perkins in Parkway Village Saturday night.
Bolton was rushed to the Regional Medical Center, but was pronounced dead there. The suspect, apparently an occupant of the car that was pulled over, was still at large late Saturday.
Dozens of officers from the Memphis Police Department gathered outside the hospital in a grim vigil Saturday night, waiting for news about Bolton, who served in the Marines. Officers from other departments, including the Shelby County Sheriff and the state troopers, joined them in a show of support.
In a briefing outside Regional Medical Center, Police Director Toney Armstrong told the media that a citizen used the officer’s radio to call for help. The officer was hit with multiple gunshots, he said.
“The suspect is still at large and officers are in the area trying to locate him at this time,” Armstrong said. “We are using all the means available to use to find the people responsible for this.”
Mayor A C Wharton said this tragedy emphasizes the dangers of the job.
“This speaks volumes about he inherent dangers of police work,” Wharton said.
Bolton, who graduated from White Station High School in 1999, served a tour in Iraq. He studied political science at the University of Memphis.
Bolton served as best man at his brother Brian's wedding at Woodland Presbyterian Church on Park Ave. on June 20. Less than two weeks after that wedding, Bolton's father died on July 2, according to his Facebook page.
Armstrong also referenced two other officers killed in the line of duty during his time leading the department.
On July 3, 2011 Officer Timothy Warren was shot and killed in a downtown hotel. On Dec. 14, 2012, Officer Martoiya Lang was shot and killed while serving a warrant.
“We’ve been here before,” Armstrong said. “This is my third time in four years I’ve been director. It never gets any easier.”
Staff reporter Kelly Fisher contributed to this story.
TBI to investigate Memphis police shooting of Darrius Stewart
Jody Callahan
4:15 PM, Jul 20, 2015
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will lead the inquiry into the fatal shooting by a Memphis police officer after a traffic stop Friday night, officials said Monday.
Darrius Stewart, 19, was shot and killed a little before midnight after the officer pulled over the car he was riding in near 5799 Winchester.
Memphis police won’t identify the officer involved but said during a press conference Monday afternoon that he is white. Stewart was black. When asked the officer’s name, Memphis police said the information would have to come from the TBI. However, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said his agency would not be releasing the officer's name.
“I’m aware this incident is on the forefront of media coverage, and I’m equally aware of the national sentiment and the appearance of this shooting. A Caucasian police officer shoots and kills an African-American male. We all know of the examples that have occurred in the last year from Ferguson to Baltimore, and the climate that we now live in must be taken into account,” Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said at the press conference.
“We are going to be transparent and to get to the bottom of what happened and why it happened,” Armstrong added. “There are questions that must be answered, and as a law enforcement agency, we have a responsibility to make sure that those questions are answered, and that all concerns are properly addressed.”
According to police, the officer pulled over a blue 2009 Chevrolet Malibu for a headlight problem. The officer put Stewart in the back of the squad car without handcuffs, police said, while he tried to verify that Stewart was the subject of two active warrants.
Shortly after verifying the warrants, police said, the officer reported by radio that the suspect had been shot and requested an ambulance.
According to police, the officer opened the door to handcuff Stewart. Police said Stewart then kicked the door and attacked the officer, using the handcuffs to strike him. Police said the officer then pulled his weapon and fired. Stewart was transported to the Regional Medical Center in critical condition, but later was pronounced dead.
Both Armstrong and Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich said at the press conference that they want the investigation to be “open and transparent.”
“If and when the time comes when all of the information can be shared with the community, we will do that,” Weirich said.
Although Memphis police records are public, TBI reports are sealed by state law.
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