On May 20, 2020, the National Law Enforcement Museum hosted a virtual program in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the heroic ending of a lethal gun battle in West Memphis, Arkansas. The program will feature an interview of Sheriff Michael K. (“Mike”) Neal by Jonathan Thompson, Executive Director of National Sheriffs’ Association.

Exactly ten years prior, Mike Neal, then a wildlife officer, made the critical decision to put his state truck between the suspects’ van and police sedans in the middle of a lethal shootout. Just 90 minutes earlier, the suspects had fatally shot two officers during a traffic stop and fled that scene.

Sheriff Neal has received numerous awards as a result of his actions in this event, including three Medals of Valor, the 2011 International Officer of the Year, and the Congressional Medal of Valor from the President of the United States in 2012.

The wildlife truck from that day is now on permanent display at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC.

Resources:

• Precinct 444
  • Part 1: https://nleomf.org/podcast/encore-reflections-on-the-2010-west-memphis-shooting-part-1/
  • Part 2: https://nleomf.org/podcast/69518/