Stephen Carr
Dickson Street businesses, workers, and patrons are planning a candlelight vigil this week to honor Stephen Carr, the police officer who was shot on duty Saturday night in Fayetteville.
Carr, 27, was waiting for his partner before beginning a night shift when he was approached by a suspect and shot “point blank” while sitting inside his patrol car just before 10 p.m. on Dec. 7.
The memorial is planned for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the corner of West Avenue and Dickson Street.
Chief Mike Reynolds will be speaking at 6 p.m., and the memorial will continue until 6:30.
Also, a “#LightTheCityBlue413” campaign is planned. The University of Arkansas will be lighting up the football stadium, and the square will participate as well. Organizers are also encouraging everyone to “#WearBlue” in support of the Fayetteville Police Department.
“Officer Stephen Carr served with dedication and professionalism for the last 2 1/2 years,” said Amber Hurlbut, owner of local bar Infusion and one of the organizers of the memorial. “He was a hero.”
Carr patrolled the Dickson Street area regularly, and was well loved by the community in the Entertainment District.
“In the 17 years I have worked on this street, I can honestly say, he was one of the best cops to grace our sidewalks,” said Alison Tussey, manager at JJ’s on Dickson Street in a Facebook post over the weekend. “He represented everything that an officer of the law is supposed to be. He saw the people that worked in the bars and restaurants as a team. And he knew his job was to protect and serve. Not a shift I worked, did he and his partner not come to see us.
“He wasn’t one of the good ones, he was one of the best ones. My heart breaks over this loss,” she said.
A visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 at University Baptist Church. Carr’s funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 at Bud Walton Arena.
Both services are open to the public.
In addition, a memorial fund for Carr’s family has been established via GoFundMe.
The candlelight memorial on Tuesday is also open to the public. For a bit more information, check out the Facebook event.
