Chief Michael Scudder, of the Newport Police Department in Arkansas sadly reports the death of Lieutenant Patrick Weatherford.

Lt. Weatherford, 41, was shot during his patrol and investigative activities Monday in the Remmel Park area of the city. The suspect fled the scene following the shooting. Weatherford was transported to Harris Medical Center in Newport where he succumbed to his gunshot wound a short time later.

A motive for the shooting is unknown. The Arkansas State Police are leading the investigation into the shooting.

After several agencies participated in an all night manhunt, Newport police told local media that a person is in custody Tuesday morning. They said a press conference will disclose details later in the day, reported Fox News. Weatherford was assisting another officer with the traffic stop when he was shot, police said.

“Lt. Weatherford was known for routinely preventing incidents and altercations from escalating into crisis, and I have no doubt that Lt. Weatherford began his watch today with the same mission to protect and serve the community he loved so much,” Leslie Rutledge, Arkansas Attorney General, said in a statement Monday night.

The Little Rock Police sent their condolences and prayers for the Weatherford family.

The officer's family we need to 🙏 for is Lt. Patrick Weatherford, 41, he was a 15 year veteran of the #Newport PD. #GoneButNeverForgotten — Little Rock Police (@LRpolice) June 13, 2017

Weatherford was a fifteen year veteran of the Newport Police Department and a 2016 graduate of the National FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He was also named Officer of the Year for Jackson County by the State Attorney General the same year. Lt. Weatherford is the only officer in the history of the Newport Police Department to be killed in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife and children.

Lt. Patrick Weatherford is gone, but will never be forgotten. EOW: Monday, June 12, 2017.

(Graphics courtesy Rose Borisow GrafX)