In the summer of 1998, a domestic disturbance call in Helena, Arkansas, ended in a tragedy that claimed three lives, including that of a respected police officer. Johnnie Richard Wyssbrod Jr., a 44-year-old White male, served as a Captain with the Helena Police Department. With 12 years on the local force and an additional four years with the Marvell Police Department, he was a seasoned veteran of law enforcement.
On the evening of June 30th, a 911 call reporting a domestic dispute led Captain Wyssbrod to a residence in the city. He was the first officer to arrive at the scene.
As he approached the front door, a man inside, later identified as the 27-year-old aggressor in the domestic incident, opened the door and immediately fired a. 45-caliber handgun. Captain Wyssbrod was struck in the upper torso and the back. He staggered back into the front yard and collapsed. His service weapon remained holstered, and he was found with mace in his hand. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The events inside the home continued to unfold with grim finality.
After shooting Captain Wyssbrod, the man turned the gun on his girlfriend, who was also in the residence, and murdered her. Shortly after, he took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The woman succumbed to her injuries the following day. The investigation into the incident concluded that the perpetrator of all three deaths was the man who had initiated the violence. With the suspect deceased, no arrests were made in connection with the deaths of Captain Johnnie Richard Wyssbrod Jr. and the female victim. Captain Wyssbrod was survived by his two daughters and grandchildren.
