UPDATE AUG 8, 2022
The Benton Police Department (BNPD) is still investigating an incident that resulted in an officer-involved shooting on Sunday, July 24, 2022, around 8:15 p.m.
The officer, Brian Franklin, did not suffer injuries. He continues to be on paid administrative leave, pending results of the internal investigation and prosecutor review.
A traffic stop that began near Cox and Edison resulted in a pursuit which ended in the 2000 block of Kay Road. The suspect, 42-year-old William Whitfield of Benton, succumbed to injuries sustained in the encounter and was pronounced deceased shortly after.
Additional details will be released as they become available.
Anyone with information can contact the Benton Police Department at 501-776-5947 or 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Anonymous tips may also be sent by texting “BENTONPD plus your message” to 847411, or via the official Benton Police Department app available on iTunes and Google Play.
UPDATE JULY 25, 2022
The Benton Police Department (BNPD) is continuing its investigation following an incident that resulted in an officer-involved shooting just after 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2022. A traffic stop that began near Cox and Edison resulted in a pursuit which ended in the 2000 block of Kay Road.
The suspect, William Whitfield, age 42, of Benton, succumbed to injuries sustained in the encounter and was pronounced deceased shortly after. The involved officer did not suffer injuries and is on paid administrative leave pending results of the internal investigation.
This investigation remains ongoing. Additional details will be released as they become available.
Anyone with information can contact the Benton Police Department at 501-776-5947 or 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Anonymous tips may also be sent by texting “BENTONPD plus your message” to 847411, or via the official Benton Police Department app available on iTunes and Google Play.
PREVIOUSLY JULY 24, 2022
The Benton Police Department is investigating an incident resulting in an officer-involved shooting that occurred just after 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, 2022.
According to emergency radio transmissions, there was a pursuit that went from Highway 35 to Bennett Rd to Kay Rd, where the subject stopped and shots were fired. The dispatch communication stated the suspect was shot in the chest.
The suspect in the incident is deceased, according to BNPD. The identity of the suspect is not being released until next-of-kin has been notified. The officer that was involved did not suffer injuries. This investigation is ongoing; additional details will be released as they become available.
Anyone with information can contact the Benton Police Department at 501-776-5947 or 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Anonymous tips may also be sent by texting “BENTONPD plus your message” to 847411, or via the official Benton Police Department app available on iTunes and Google Play.
It seems like a dig to me. I thought that from the get go. Then I read the comments and see he had issues with Benton police dept of course they have a mug shot. I bet he was convicted too. What a slap in the face to his family and friends. We the people rule over these criminals. Until we stand up and demand the laws of the constitution be protected (well first they need to learn them) this will continue. There are laws that protect us from unethical prosecution and laws that will also prosecute and disbar this injustice all the way up. This website here is ( or the person running it (the dictionary calls lack of emotional sensitivity and no fear of punishment) a psychopath. That pretty much sums up the city and county we have been dealing with. I don’t really know but I would say this web site is tied into the mighty fine bpd. Just like I figured the skating rink was tied into that dept when there was a shooting and the kids that were inside the skating rink where there was protection was marched outside to look for a shooter or the victim. Let’s see if my freedom of speech is restricted. Theirs hasn’t been
Ya know, i believe that its wrong to use a mug shot as the picture. I believe that it gives the impression that hes a criminal and helps justify the shooting in people’s minds. But if you knew William you would be questioning everything. I think that its a manipulation technique to distract from the facts and make it look like it was just an officer protecting everyone from a criminal. Knowing William i believe he was trying to get his truck home because he knew they were going to arrest him and couldn’t afford to get his truck out of impound. And also if his dog was with him he didn’t want animal control to pick her up because it cost him more to get her back than his truck when it was impounded last.
I went to school with William at Angie Grant and up. I remember William as my square dancing partner in 5th grade and it also crushed me to see that they used a mugshot for this. It makes me sick actually. Everyone has things in life they are not proud of and mistakes that got the best of us so I find it in VERY poor taste.
I am sure this could have been prevented. This officer should be fired and arrested. He is a murderer.
Well I’m tore up now. This is screwed up. I didn’t know him but I’m sure he was a great guy. We all sin. My love and prayers to his family and friends.
I have been there done that remarkable how stupid I can be when I am panicked. This man was unarmed and basically attacked by a policeman and murdered. Cops pull their triggers too quickly. Some of them wear a uniform just for that purpose. My little brother was shot by a cop wrongfully many years ago spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He was lucky.
I wonder if he was shot in the back?
Yeah I am trying to figure out who owns website. I’m sure they have a law degree seeing how they post things like this man is under the constitution innocent until proven guilty.
Let’s hope there are no irregularities.
Well if there is it won’t be posted. This is October nothing seems to have come to.light yet!