Police officer shot.
Posted: March 19th, 2009, 11:59 am
OZARK, Ark. -- Conway police officer Matthew Kimery was shot three times, Tuesday night, while responding to a criminal trespassing call near the University of Central Arkansas.
According to the Conway Police Department, Kimery was in the process of locating the suspect when he came under fire.
Kimery was shot twice in the chest, but was wearing his bullet proof vest. One bullet hit Kimery in the shoulder near his spine. On Wednesday Kimery was in the intensive care unit at Conway's Regional Medical Center. Officials said he's expected to make a full recovery.
Kimery graduated from Ozark High School in 2002.
His first job in law enforcement was as a 911 dispatcher at the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.
The department's chaplain, Ted Darling, worked with Kimery and was once his pastor.
"He's one of those exemplary young men," said Darling. "He grows up and you watch him and think good things will come out of guys like this."
When Darling heard that Kimery ad been shot he rushed to be by Kimery's bedside.
"(I) spent 10 or 15 minutes visiting with him and his mom and dad," Darling said. "(Kimery) could laugh about (the incident) a little bit, but it was painful."
Ozark High school principal Jody Jenkins said the entire Ozark community had Kimery and his family in their thoughts and prayers.
Jenkins said Kimery is a hero.
"We teach our kids, 'hey you're not just going to be at Ozark High School the rest of your life,'" Jenkins said. “And we couldn't be more proud then someone who's standing up for the rights of people."
Conway police are holding Harley Inthisone as a suspect in shooting case involving Kimery. Inthisone faces two count of attempted capital murder
