JERICHO, AR – He was shot by an officer. Now arrest warrants have been issued for the Former Fire Chief in Jericho, Arkansas. Meanwhile, the officer who shot him is patrolling the streets. Investigators say Don Payne was shot inside Jericho City Hall after he confronted a judge over a parking ticket.
MyEywitnessNews.com caught up with Don Payne more than a week after the warrants were issued. He was on his front porch. “I’m sitting right here just waiting. I’m not a fugitive. I’m a person that works for the government just like them. I am an honest man.” Payne says the actions of the Jericho Police Department are anything but. “These officers need to be checked out by the FBI. When people do like they do, they don’t want to come out and talk. They're hiding stuff so, you can come and visit me any time of the week.”
MyEywitnessNews.com received a lukewarm welcome by Jericho’s mayor. “I’m doing my mayor’s duty, what I’m supposed to do. My bookwork and everything lined up because we’ve been behind.” Neither the mayor, nor officers would say when they plan to make the arrest. Both Payne and his lawyer call the charges senseless.
The Town of Jericho is currently without a fire department. Just days after being released from the hospital, Don Payne was fired as fire chief. His volunteer crew resigned after hearing about Payne’s termination.
