Arkansas State Police asks anyone who may have encountered Truelove or the vehicle to contact ASP Troop F at (870) 226-3713.
If you’ve been pulled over by this law enforcement officer, Arkansas State Police wants to hear from you. They although he claimed to be a deputy, and had all kinds of police equipment, he’s not an officer at all. Read more below.
On Friday, June 26, 2026, around 1 p.m., an Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Special Agent was driving an unmarked vehicle, on U.S. Highway 79 in Ouachita County. ASP repairs that the agent saw a black Chevy Tahoe speeding toward him with blue lights activated.
The agent initiated a traffic stop on the driver, Dennis Truelove, 66, of Hot Springs. The driver stated he was employed by the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office. The agent started in a report that due to the vehicle’s position in the roadway, the Agent terminated the contact and continued northbound on U.S. Highway 79.
Then the agent contacted the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office to double-check the story. He was advised that no deputies matching that driver or vehicle description were assigned to the agency.
The vehicle was later observed traveling northbound on State Highway 9 in Dallas County, just north of Holly Springs. The agent initiated a second traffic stop, during which Truelove presented a Ouachita County Sheriff’s badge and identification card.
Inside the vehicle, the agent observed an in-car radio broadcasting on the Ouachita County frequency, a handheld radio programmed to the same frequency, a bulletproof vest marked “sheriff,” and other law enforcement-related equipment.
Truelove was arrested and transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center. He is charged with:
- First-Degree Criminal Impersonation,
- Unlawful Use of Blue Lights, and
- Multiple traffic offenses.
On Monday, June 29, 2026, Truelove appeared in Ouachita County Circuit Court, where the court set a bond of $10,000. ASP CID Special Agents executed a search warrant on the vehicle Truelove was driving and removed several blue lights, a siren, and law enforcement radios.
Arkansas State Police asks anyone who may have encountered Truelove or the vehicle to contact ASP Troop F at (870) 226-3713.
The investigation remains ongoing. No additional information will be released at this time.
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