Police identify shot Mo. officer; suspect arrested
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The officer who was shot and injured early Monday when he responded to suspicious activity at a local business was described as a dedicated lawman and a "great street officer" by the city's police chief.
At a late news conference Monday, Chief Paul Williams said Officer Aaron Pearson, 30, joined the force three years ago this week.
"He enjoyed working the graveyard shift — keeping you all safe while you are sleeping," he said.
Pearson, who is married with two children, was one of several officers who were investigating three people hanging out behind a closed business — the O'Reilly Auto Parts store — about 1:30 a.m. CT in north Springfield, when he was shot, at least once. He was in serious but stable condition Monday at a local hospital.
After an intense seven-hour manhunt, police arrested Joshua Lee Hagood, 32, of Lawrence County, Mo., after he was found hiding behind a business near the location of the shooting. Hagood, who has been convicted of assaulting police officers in the past, was booked into the Greene County Jail, on suspicion of trespassing.
Officers continued to search the area and limit traffic flow through late afternoon, when Williams announced Hagood was the focus of the investigation and no other suspects were being sought.
Williams said there was no reason to believe Monday's incident was a calculated attack on law enforcement. He also answered questions about officers working alone during the overnight shift.
Williams said having two officers in every vehicle is "not fiscally feasible" and the department functions well using one-officer vehicles in that shift. He added that doubling up wouldn't have made a difference in this situation because multiple officers were investigating the scene and backing each other up.
Williams noted Pearson had recently received a commendation from the department for investigative efforts. News-Leader archives show Pearson received a citation for his work at a police-involved shooting in 2013.
Pearson was also praised last year for information he developed about a drug house in the part of the city where he was assigned. That work led to a search warrant that resulted in confiscating methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, LSD and cash.
Williams said Pearson comes from a law enforcement family and that family has asked for privacy. For that reason, Williams — who visited the officer an hour before the news conference — declined to provide many details or answer specific questions about the injuries.
He did say Pearson faces a "long recovery" but remained hopeful the officer will be able to assist in the investigation.
Williams said he appreciates the "outpouring of support" from the community for both the officer's family and the department.
"It affects me just like it affects every one of these officers here," said Williams, noting the 300 officers on the force. "...It affects each of us personally. As the leader of the organization it certainly affects me. It's like one of my kids, to be honest with you."
Mayor Bob Stephens said, in a statement: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer, his wife and family, and the officer's colleagues who put on the badge and blue uniform every day to protect and serve the rest of us.
"This should serve as a reminder to all Springfieldians of the potential dangers that those who serve in the public safety sector face every day and night."