Arkansas flags fly at half staff for two killed in the line of duty, separate incidents

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Gov. Asa Hutchinson Tuesday ordered flags at half staff until March 5 to recognize two men killed in recent days serving the state.

Sgt Josh Caudill is identified as the Arkansas Correction Officer who was shot and killed by suspect Denmark Lee Jordan, 37, who was taken into custody on Tuesday.

Arkansas State Police state Tuesday they, “join with police departments and citizens across the state in mourning the loss of ADC Sgt. Joshua Caudell. The 29-year-old Sergeant was fatally shot while assisting the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office during a welfare check Monday morning.”

“Sgt. Joshua Caudell served in the ADC Tucker K-9 Unit and had been with the Arkansas Division of Correction since December of 2012.

Today, and every day after, we honor Sgt. Joshua Caudell’s service and sacrifice and ask the community to join in praying for his fellow officers and friends, but especially for his wife and three young children.” — ASP

Sunday night around 8 p.m. the Pulaski County Arkansas Sheriff’s office responded to a call of a residential disturbance at the 14000 block of Corvallis Road when shots were fired as they arrived on scene.

Officers retreated and set a perimeter around the trailer park and area. SWAT was called to secure the trailer.

Then overnight they continued searching for suspect Denmark Lee Jordan.  The perimeter encompassed the area including the trailer park.  During that manhunt shortly after 4 a.m. Deputy Caudell was assisting with K9 hounds was shot and killed after gunfire came from underneath a trailer.

In an unrelated incident Saturday morning, now honored with flags at half staff is West Memphis Firefighter Jason Lang.

“The West Memphis Fire Department is deeply saddened by the loss of Firefighter Jason Lang.

Early Saturday morning, February 26, 2022, a West Memphis Firefighter lost his life in the line of duty bravely doing his job and encountering the kind of dangers that our EMTs face every day along the interstate.

“Firefighter, Jason Lang immediately, and without hesitation, bravely made the ultimate sacrifice, and he will always be remembered for his legacy and bravery for serving others,” said Chief Barry Ealy.

Firefighter Lang was en route to an EMT clinical training class in Pine Bluff when he stopped to render aid during a traffic accident alongside the interstate and was struck and killed by an 18-wheeler passing by. Lang has been with the West Memphis Fire Department since December 2021.

“I call on the people of West Memphis and the entire Mid South region to join me in remembering him, and continue to pray for his family, friends, and our first responders,”said Mayor Marco McClendon.”

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