Patrol officer Cody Gentry of the Blytheville Police Department, who was severely injured Thursday in an automobile crash while pursuing an armed robbery suspect, is still listed as critical but stable at The Regional Medical Center in Memphis, according to Blytheville Police Chief Ross Thompson
"Officer Gentry is still listed in critical condition, but seems to be responding well to treatment." Thompson said.
The chief also said the Police Department is staying in "constant contact" with Gentry's family, and off-duty officers are staying with the family at the hospital at all times.
Gentry was injured in an accident at approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursday, when he lost control of his police car while pursuing a robbery suspect on North Highway 61 near the intersection to Golf Links Drive. According to police reports, Gentry's vehicle left the roadway and impacted a ditch embankment. Emergency responders removed Gentry from his vehicle and he was airlifted to Memphis immediately.
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.