MENA (KFSM) — The Mena Police Department released the name of the officer Monday (Feb. 22) who shot and killed a suspect earlier this month.
Sgt. Kenneth Mann shot and killed Shawn Dickens Feb. 16 at Kess’ Korner at Reine and Reeves Streets in Mena, according to Police Chief Brandon Martin.
Mann is a 20-year veteran of the Mena Police Department.
Mann approached Dickens in the convenience store parking lot after the police department received a call about Dickens being in possession of methamphetamine and a loaded revolved, according to Martin.
When Mann was attempting to perform a pat-down on Dickens and then handcuff him, the suspect got into a physical altercation with the officer and threw him to the ground, Martin said. Dickens then fled and a gun fell his waistband during the pursuit, according to Martin.
Dickens ignored Mann’s commands, pick up the gun and pointed it at the officer, at which point Mann shot Dickens, the chief said.
Dickens was transported to Mena Regional Health System where he was later pronounced dead, according to Martin.
The Polk County coroner found a large amount of suspect methamphetamine on Dickens, Martin said.
Arkansas State Police is investigating the shooting and there is an ongoing internal investigation as to whether department policy was followed in the case, according to the chief.
Mann is currently on paid administrative leave per the department’s policy.
