The Benton Police Department has identified the officer involved in a shooting last month as the investigation continues.
The officer-involved occurred following a traffic stop that began around 8:15 p.m. July 24 near Cox and Edison Ave. The stop resulted in a pursuit which ended in the 2000 block of Kay Road, according to a news release.
William Whitfield, 42, of Benton, succumbed to injuries sustained in the encounter and was pronounced deceased shortly after. The involved officer, Officer Brian Franklin, did not suffer injuries and continues to be on paid administrative leave pending results of the internal investigation and prosecutor review, according to a news release.
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.
