Slain officer remembered on anniversary of death
Thursday marked the twoyear anniversary of the shooting death of Hot Springs police Cpl. Brent Scrimshire in the line of duty, and his fellow officers and hundreds of members of the community joined to honor his memory by wearing blue.
“BlueforBrent” was organized by Lt. LeeAnn Zaner, one of Scrimshire’s former supervisors, with participants wearing blue and posting photos of themselves and others to a special Facebook page created for the event throughout the day.
“Scrim was one of the most kind, gentle, giving, amicable, funny and hard working people I’ve ever known. Let’s not forget the ultimate sacrifice he gave for the citizens of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Let’s not forget his wife, two small children and extended family who are left without him,” Zaner had posted on Facebook promoting the event.
“I was Brent’s sergeant at the time of his death,” Zaner told The Sentinel-Record Thursday. “I had worked with him on the same shift for several years and we both shared a bond that we grew up in the same general area.”
She said one of the organizations had posted for people to wear blue last year, but it “didn’t pick up much traction.”
However, “we had a big event in Brent’s memory out front of the PD last year” which was well attended.
“I waited until almost a week ago and decided we had to do something to keep his memory alive,” Zaner said.
“I want the community to always remember what he gave up to keep them safe. He was the most gentle, loving, caring man, who was the best dad and husband. It was always family first with him. I just want his sacrifice to never be forgotten and to live on through all of us,” she said.
Zaner said several of Scrimshire’s “shift mates” from the time when he was killed are planning to begin a service project in his memory every year starting next year.
Sgt. Joey Williams posted a
photo of his police unit parked in Hill Wheatley Plaza in front of the plaza’s marquee as it displayed a photo of Scrimshire in honor of his memory.
“I think it is amazing how the community has come together two years after this event to show support for Brent, his wife, Rachel, and their children,” Williams told the newspaper Thursday.
“LeeAnn did a great job organizing this event to honor Brent. I can guarantee that the officers and employees of the department feel the support and appreciate it,” he said.
While some people posted individual photos of themselves, others posted group photos of organizations, businesses, teams, classes and others all wearing blue in support of Scrimshire or photos of their children participating in the event.
A tribute display illuminated with blue lights was placed in the lobby just inside the front entrance at the police department on Malvern Avenue, which included a photo of Scrimshire and a chair engraved with the message, “Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
A post on the HSPD’s Facebook page said, “Scrimshire was the epitome of selflessness, courage, and integrity. He loved his wife (Rachel) and his children (Wyatt and Riverlynn) more than anything in the world.
“We will always remember Corporal Scrimshire for making the ultimate sacrifice and we will continue to keep his family in our prayers and close to our hearts.”
Scrimshire was shot and killed on March 10, 2020, following a traffic stop. The alleged shooter, Kayvon Mashawn Daking Ward, 24, and an alleged accomplice, Coraima Hernandez, 23, who reportedly interfered with officers prior to the shooting, have each been charged with capital murder, punishable by the death penalty or life in prison, for the death of Scrimshire, and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, punishable by up to life, because Ward also allegedly shot at Officer Anthony Larkin, who was not injured, during the incident.
As of Thursday, Ward is set to stand trial beginning July 18 in Garland County Circuit Court while a trial date for Hernandez is still pending. Both have been held on zero bonds since their arrests.
At the time of his death, Scrimshire’s rank was officer 1st class, but on Aug. 21, 2020, he was promoted to corporal in a posthumous ceremony held in conjunction with other promotions. Police Chief Chris Chapmond, speaking at the ceremony, said Scrimshire, a seven-year veteran, was “well on his way to achieving the rank of corporal and today we honor him and his family by meritoriously promoting him to that rank.”