Springdale Police Department, Arkansas
End of Watch Sunday, December 21, 1975
Add to My HeroesJohn Tillman Hussey
Patrolman John Hussey was shot and killed after being abducted by two men during a traffic stop. They handcuffed him to a nearby tree and shot him with his own service revolver three times .
The 39-year-old shooter was apprehended on May 9, 1977, by two FBI agents in Denver, Colorado. He had been placed on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted List a few weeks after he murdered Patrolman Hussey. He was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. He escaped from prison on May 9, 1988 but was later recaptured on September 6, 1988, after being profiled on the television show "America's Most Wanted." A tip led to his capture at a homeless shelter in Austin, Texas. He was found asleep on a cot with a sawed-off shotgun by his side. He died in prison in 1995.
The other 30-year-old suspect was apprehended in Conrad, Montana, on June 8, 1978, by Pondera County deputies and FBI agents. He was returned to Arkansas, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life. He died in prison in 2019.
Patrolman Hussey had only served with the Springdale Police Department for six weeks. He was survived by his wife.
Bio
- Age 22
- Tour 1 month
- Badge 310
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Officer's handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 59 ReflectionsJohn, you were a special person to our city. Thank you to the FBI agents how arrested your killers.
Ashley Blake Rogers, Retired Dispatcher
Springdale Police
April 6, 2025
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