Emmett Maroney, 66, of Strong (Union County) sustained a non-life threatening gunshot wound earlier today after he allegedly threatened to “kill cops” inside the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

  Maroney was stopped by a sheriff’s department employee about 9:15 AM as Maroney reportedly attempted to enter a restricted access area of the Union County Detention Center.  Maroney was later escorted by a deputy from the sheriff’s department lobby.  Over the course of approximately the next two hours, Maroney was seen inside his personal vehicle parked outside the sheriff’s department.

  An individual parking her vehicle near Maroney’s at 11:18 AM contacted the sheriff’s department stating that Maroney had warned her not to enter the sheriff’s department.  The woman alleged that Maroney told her, “he was going inside to kill cops and you might not want to go inside.”

  Maroney, moments later, struck a deputy with the rear bumper of his car while backing out of the parking lot.  He then accelerated forward, directing the car toward two deputies approaching the vehicle.  The deputies fired their guns at the car being driven by Maroney who sustained a gunshot wound.

  Maroney was transported to a local hospital for treatment of the wound, then released into the custody of sheriff’s department custody.

  Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division have been requested by the sheriff’s department to document the chain of events and prepare an investigative report for the prosecuting attorney.  The prosecutor will determine whether the use of deadly force by the law enforcement officers was consistent with Arkansas law.

  Questions relating to the identity of the deputies and their administrative status should be directed to the sheriff’s department.