Holly MatkinNorth Little Rock, AR – Jonesboro Police Department (JPD) Officer Vincent “Vinnie” Parks died in the line of duty on Sunday after he went into cardiac arrest while participating in a training exercise.
According to the Arkansas State Police (ASP), the 38-year-old officer was participating in training exercises at the Central Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy at Camp Robinson on the afternoon of July 17 when he began exhibiting signs of “medical distress,” KAIT reported.
Academy instructors called for an ambulance and administered oxygen until medical personnel arrived.
“Parks was able to walk to an ambulance that had been summoned but was stricken by cardiac arrest almost immediately upon entering the ambulance,” the ASP said, according to KAIT.
Officer Parks was pronounced dead after he arrived at the hospital.
His cause and manner of death will be determined by the medical examiner at the Arkansas State Crime Lab, KAIT reported.
Officer Parks joined the JPD on June 13, the JPD said in a press release.
“After completing several weeks of in-house instructional training, he and his fellow recruit classmates began their course work at the Central Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy,” the department said.
Arkansas Department of Public Safety Secretary and Commission of Arkansas Law Enforcement Standards and Training Director Jami Cook said Officer Parks died while working towards his goal of helping his community as a public servant, KAIT reported.
“In a day and time where so few are willing step-up to be among those who protect and serve our communities, it seems unjust that a man like Officer Parks, who was prepared to sacrifice for his community, be taken from his calling,” Cook said. “We are saddened and grieve for him, his family, and fellow officers, yet we know his life was not in vain. He answered the call.”
Officer Parks leaves behind his wife, Christina, and his daughter, Vivianna, according to his obituary.
He is also survived by his mother, sister, grandmother, and his in-laws.
Officer Parks will be laid to rest on July 22.
#BREAKING: Jonesboro Police Officer Vincent Parks died today during a training exercise at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, according to @jonesboroarpd. He’s been on the job for only 32 days.
Authorities have not said how he died. #ARNews pic.twitter.com/KE7lmoSsJI
— Mitchell McCoy (@MitchellMcCoy) July 17, 2022
Governor @AsaHutchinson ordered flags be at half staff today to honor fallen @TheJonesboroPD officer Vincent Parks.
Here at @BlackRiverTC they are showing their respect. pic.twitter.com/AEwcAwUxZk
— Griffin S. DeMarrais (@GDeMarraisTV) July 19, 2022
Vincent Parks chose to dedicate his life in service to his community. I’m deeply saddened to hear of his passing as he served those around him. Susan and I are praying for his family, and I have directed the flags to be lowered in his memory. https://t.co/LJCc2Zr1lB pic.twitter.com/BywjPl5EL6
— Gov. Asa Hutchinson (@AsaHutchinson) July 19, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Officer Vincent Parks and the Jonesboro Police Department. pic.twitter.com/HKRug0M9nm
— Little Rock Police (@LRpolice) July 19, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jonesboro Police Department Officer Vincent “Vinnie” Parks, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
