***News Release**
Date: April 24, 2026
Felony Warrant Service Leads to Officer-Involved Shooting on Dooley Ferry Road
On April 12, 2026, at approximately 4:15 p.m., the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department was contacted by the Trooper Miller from the Arkansas State Police regarding a planned felony warrant service. Trooper Miller advised that Tommy Sevier, age 46, who had an active felony warrant issued through the Arkansas Post Prison Transfer Board, was expected to be traveling on or near Dooley Ferry Road around 5:00 p.m. Sevier was believed to be driving a white GMC Terrain.
TAPD officers began patrolling the area. At approximately 6:23 p.m., Trooper Miller advised that they had located the vehicle traveling west on Dooley Ferry Road. Officers with the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and Miller County Sheriff’s Office began to respond to assist.
TAPD Officer Jackson Thornell arrived and observed Trooper Miller and other Officers speaking with Sevier at the front passenger-side window. Sevier appeared agitated and made statements indicating he did not want to return to prison. Trooper Miller spoke with Sevier for several minutes in an effort to de-escalate the situation. When asked if he had a firearm, Sevier acknowledged that he did, and relinquished control of one firearm.
As Trooper Miller continued attempts to calm Sevier, a deputy from the Miller County Sheriff’s Office arrived. The Deputy positioned his patrol vehicle in front of Sevier’s vehicle to prevent escape. Moments later, Sevier brandished a second firearm and immediately positioned it against his own body. Trooper Miller ordered Sevier to drop the weapon. Officer Thornell, from his rearward position, could see Sevier holding a firearm, but could not determine how Sevier positioned it. Sevier attempted to discharge the weapon, but it did not fire. He then manipulated the firearm and then successfully discharged it on himself, in what was later confirmed by the Arkansas State Police and Arkansas Crime Lab to be a fatal wound.
Immediately upon hearing the gunshot, Officer Thornell, believing that Seiver was attempting to fire upon officers, fired his department issued handgun, striking Sevier in a non-critical area of his body. Again, the investigation and autopsy confirmed that the round fired by Officer Thornell was not the cause of death of Sevier.
Officers on scene attempted to conduct life-saving measures on Sevier; however, he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department conducted an internal review of this incident, in conjunction with the Arkansas State Police’s external investigation. The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department determined that Officer Thornell followed all Department General Orders and Policies in his response. Further, upon The Eighth
South Judicial District Prosecutor’s review of the case, Prosecutor Connie Mitchell has likewise determined that Officer Thornell was justified in the discharge of his firearm. This was an intense and rapidly evolving encounter for everyone on scene, as well as for the surrounding community. Despite the high-stress circumstances, officers remained focused on resolving the situation safely and professionally.
The Texarkana Arkansas Police Department acknowledges this is a difficult time for Sevier’s family and friends. We ask that the community support them in whatever manner possible while they grieve.
