• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Manhunt for Killer of Memphis Officer

August 3, 2015
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A manhunt was underway Monday for a man who police say fatally shot a Memphis officer after he interrupted a drug deal involving a small amount of marijuana that would have resulted in just a misdemeanor citation and a fine.

"He's a coward," Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said of the suspect, 29-year-old Tremaine Wilbourn. "You gunned down, you murdered a police officer, for less than 2 grams of marijuana. You literally destroyed a family."

Wilbourn faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Officer Sean Bolton, 33, Armstrong said at a Sunday news conference.

Wilbourn was a passenger in a 2002 Mercedes Benz that was parked illegally in a southeast Memphis neighborhood Saturday night, Armstrong said. Bolton saw the car and shined his squad car's spotlight on the vehicle, according to the director.

Bolton got out of his car and walked toward the Mercedes, Armstrong said. Wilbourn got out of the Mercedes, confronted Bolton, and they got into a physical struggle, Armstrong said.

Wilbourn took out a gun and fired, striking Bolton multiple times, Armstrong said. The officer died at a hospital.

Wilbourn and the driver then ran away, Armstrong said. The driver later turned himself in to police, and police described him as a person of interest in the case before he was released without being charged.

Armstrong said Bolton interrupted a drug deal in progress. Officers found about 1.7 grams of marijuana in the car, Armstrong said.

The U.S. Marshals Service has offered to help in the search for Wilbourn, who Armstrong described as armed and dangerous. He said Wilbourn was on supervised release after serving a federal sentence for robbery of a banking institution.

Earlier Sunday, police officers wearing protective vests descended on an apartment complex in southeast Memphis, about three miles from the scene of the shooting. An armored truck and a mobile command center were among the police vehicles there.

Officers could be seen going in and out of a sliding door and onto a balcony on the second floor of the two-story building.

Bolton is the third Memphis officer to be fatally shot in slightly more than four years. Officer Tim Warren was killed while responding to a shooting at a downtown Memphis hotel in July 2011. In December 2012, Officer Martoiya Lang was killed while serving a warrant.

Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton Jr. said Bolton's death "speaks volumes about the inherent danger of police work" and asked others to "pray for the family and pray for our city."

During past police shootings, both Wharton and Armstrong have said too many violent criminals are out on the street and have easy access to guns.

"The men and women in blue have certain rules of engagement that they have to follow, but at any given minute in a 24-hour day they're dealing with folks who have no rules of engagement," Wharton said.

Bolton was a former U.S. Marine and served a tour of duty in Iraq, police said. He joined the department in 2010.

Jason Mendoza, a minister at Woodland Presbyterian Church, said Bolton served as the best man at the wedding of his brother, Brian Bolton, this summer. Church member Pam Haley said Bolton's father died about a month ago. Brian is a member of the church.

During the church's morning service, Mendoza asked worshippers to pray for the Bolton family.

"Lord, lift up Brian and his family," Mendoza said.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: General NewsNewsOfficer Down
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Two California police officers shot and killed

June 14, 2022

Arizona police officer killed after traffic stop

June 3, 2022

20 people shot outside arena following NBA Playoff Game

May 14, 2022

Handyman arrested after alleged violent sexual assault of elderly client

May 13, 2022

Small agencies are the latest to suffer from recruiting woes

May 13, 2022
Katie sketching her father's name at the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

Goodyear to Partner with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for Traffic Safety Programs

April 20, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

Faith Rose Gratz

Guard in love with murderer brought him cellphones and meth to deal in prison

June 25, 2022
Monica Garcia

Former El Paso police officer receives prison sentence for helping stepfather distribute cocaine

June 25, 2022
Pennsylvania troopers

Pennsylvania troopers blast judge’s decision to dismiss woman’s murder charges

June 25, 2022
Vermont State Police

Troopers threatened with excavator while making arrest

June 25, 2022
terror attacks

DHS warns of potential terror attacks for weeks due to Roe v. Wade ruling

June 25, 2022
K9 Exo

Mississippi police K9 shot and killed by fleeing suspect

June 24, 2022
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

MUST READ

Vermont State Police

Troopers threatened with excavator while making arrest

June 25, 2022
Jeremiah Story

Arkansas detention officer shot and killed by suspect who retained gun while getting booked into jail

June 24, 2022
US Supreme Court

SCOTUS rules that police cannot be sued for Miranda violations

June 23, 2022
open carry

U.S. Supreme Court overturns New York law restricting the carrying of concealed firearms

June 23, 2022
Ruben Ruiz

Police officer husband of murdered Uvalde school teacher was detained, disarmed trying to rescue wife

June 23, 2022
Load More

JOIN THE FIGHT

SAFEGUARD RECRUITING

Police Officers Needed – Entry level and lateral applicants wanted!

February 14, 2022

Deputy Sheriff

February 3, 2022

Dispatcher

January 25, 2022

Deputy Sheriff (POST Certified)

January 25, 2022

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com