Officers cleared for duty after shooting

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office shared the investigation’s findings with Matt Durrett, a county prosecutor, who determined on Dec. 30 that the officers’ actions were justified and necessary.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two Fayetteville police officers who fatally shot the man who killed a fellow officer last month can return to duty after an investigation exonerated them of wrongdoing, the police chief said.

Cpl. Seay Floyd and Officer Natalie Eucce acted reasonably, justifiably and properly when they fatally shot London Phillips on Dec. 7 after he killed Officer Stephen Carr outside the police headquarters, Chief Mike Reynolds said in a statement Monday.

Carr, 27, was sitting in his patrol car in the police station’s parking lot when Phillips, 35, began to fire rounds at him, striking the officer 10 times, according to sheriff’s officials.

Floyd and Eucce were inside the police station when they heard the gunshots. They pursued Phillips and shot him six times, killing him.

The police department’s Office of Professional Standards investigation into the conduct of Floyd and Eucce examined their statements, bodyworn camera videos, building security videos and physical evidence, according to the statement.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office shared the investigation’s findings with Matt Durrett, a county prosecutor, who determined on Dec. 30 that the officers’ actions were justified and necessary.

The investigation is now completed, the Northwest Arkansas DemocratGazette reported Tuesday. The two officers who were placed on paid administrative leave will return to work on their next scheduled shifts, Sgt. Anthony Murphy said.

After the attack, police speculated that Phillips shot Carr because he was intent on killing a police officer.