Officer critically injured while chasing suspect

A Blytheville police officer is in critical condition at The Regional Medical Center in Memphis after being injured in an accident while in pursuit of a suspect Thursday evening, police said.

Officer Cody Gentry, 25, was pursuing a suspect in an armed robbery which occurred at approximately 5:30 Thursday afternoon at New Attitude Hair Salon, located in the 1000 block of North Sixth Street in Blytheville, said Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson.

A description of a suspect vehicle was developed and Arkansas State Police troopers were in the immediate area at the time of the call and witnessed a potential suspect vehicle traveling north on Sixth Street away from the scene. Troopers relayed this information to responding Blytheville officers.

While responding, Gentry apparently lost control of his police unit, leaving the roadway and impacting a ditch embankment just north of the U.S. Highway 61 intersection with Golf Links Drive. Gentry was airlifted to the Memphis hospital.

The chief said that responding to emergency calls can be hazardous.

"The greater number of emergency calls you get the greater the risks become," Thompson said. "Our thoughts and prayers are in support of Officer Gentry and his family."

Gentry, a graduate of Gosnell High School, holds the rank of Patrolman II with the department and has been a Blytheville officer since March 3, 2008. He is a graduate of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy at Black River Technical College in Pocahontas. Gentry has numerous arrests and convictions to his credit as well as awards and recognition for his law enforcement efforts, according to a supervisor of the BPD.

Blytheville Mayor James Sanders, who is in Little Rock for the Arkansas Municipal League Conference, said he is monitoring the situation.

"I've been talking with Chief Thompson about the situation," Sanders said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

The police department is being assisted in the investigation of the accident by the ASP. The robbery is being investigated by the BPD.

Thompson said he also wished to thank the members of the Blytheville Fire Department, Blytheville Emergency Squad, Missco EMS ambulance service, Pyramid Automotive and all the citizens who helped at the scene of the accident on Thursday night and "all who continue to support the law enforcement community. "

dhilton@blythevillecourier.com