In the quiet town of Ola, Arkansas, a dedicated public servant's life was tragically cut short in the line of duty. Doyle Lee Holstein, a 63-year-old male and the esteemed Chief of Police, responded to a domestic disturbance call on the evening of August 6, 1995. With over 23 years of service to the Ola Police Department, Chief Holstein was a familiar and respected figure in the community, known for his commitment to keeping its citizens safe.
The call that evening led him to a residence where a tense situation was unfolding. As he stood at the end of a hallway, attempting to de-escalate the conflict, a 37-year-old male suspect, who was concealed in a bedroom, opened fire. Chief Holstein was struck by the gunfire and was quickly transported to St. Mary's Regional Medical Center for emergency medical attention.
Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, Chief Holstein succumbed to his injuries during surgery. The suspect was apprehended shortly after the shooting. Following his arrest, the individual underwent a mental evaluation and was subsequently deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. As a result, he was committed to a mental institution rather than facing a criminal trial for the death of the veteran police chief.
