Suspect arrested in Memphis cop killing

John Bacon | USA TODAY

Authorities have arrested a convicted bank robber suspected of killing a Memphis, Tenn., police officer during a weekend traffic stop, the Shelby County sheriff said Monday evening.

Tremaine Wilbourn, 29, had been wanted for first-degree murder since officer Sean Bolton was shot dead Saturday after he apparently interrupted a drug deal.

Police director Toney Armstrong said Sunday that a passenger shot the 33-year-old Bolton several times after "some type of physical altercation."

Wilbourn had been free on supervised release by the U.S. Western District Court for a 122-month sentence for bank robbery, Armstrong said. .

Armstrong said the drug transaction in question amounted to "less than two grams of marijuana," which constituted "a misdemeanor citation and a fine."

Holding up a photo of Wilbourn, Armstrong said, "I think it's safe to say that when you look at this individual, you're looking at a coward. He's a coward. You gun down, you murder a police officer for less than two grams of marijuana. You've literally destroyed a family. Look at the impact that that's had on this department, this community, this city, for less than two grams of marijuana."

The U.S. Marshal's Service has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Wilbourn's arrest. The (Memphis) Commercial quoted Memphis Mayor A C Wharton as saying he will ask the city council to match that amount.

Bolton, a five-year veteran of the department, was the third Memphis officer killed since 2011.

Earlier, Armstrong said a member of the public called dispatch at 9:18 p.m. CT Saturday, using Bolton's radio to report that the officer had been shot multiple times. Officers found Bolton at the scene and rushed him to Regional Medical Center in critical condition, but he was later pronounced dead, Armstrong said.

"There is a theme that black lives matter," said a sullen Armstrong, who is black. "At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves, do all lives matter? All lives matter … and this is just a reminder of how dangerous this job is."

The shooting set off an intense manhunt that ended with officers surrounding an apartment building in the city. Police did not immediately identify the person of interest who was apprehended.

Armstrong said his department was once again in mourning.

"It's a difficult time for all the officers you see standing behind me," he said. "And difficult time for the city as well."

Mayor A C Wharton joined Armstrong in asking the prayers for the officer's family, the Memphis police department and the city. He also pointed to the proliferation of guns as adding to the dangers that officers face.

"Once again, we won't make any political statements here, but this again is evidence that there are so many guns on our streets in the wrong hands," Wharton said. "Men and women in blue have rules of engagement they have to follow, but … they are dealing with people who have no rules of engagement."

Bolton, who joined the force in 2010, served a tour in Iraq and studied political science at the University of Memphis.

In July 2011, Memphis Officer Tim Warren was killed while responding to a shooting. In December 2012, Officer Martoiya Lang was killed while serving a warrant.

"This is my third time in four years, and it doesn't get any easier," Armstrong said.

Contributing: Greg Toppo, USA TODAY