Former Springdale officer pleads not guilty to vehicular manslaughter charge

SPRINGDALE, Ark. – A former Springdale police officer who resigned after allegedly being involved in a road rage incident pleaded not guilty on May 15, according to court documents.

Garry Jones, 43, was arrested April 25 and booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of third-degree assault and harassment.

Court documents say Jones followed a woman in her vehicle in a public place with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm her, and ultimately created “fear of imminent bodily harm” by displaying a firearm.

The Springdale Police Department (SPD) said officers received a report on March 6 of a traffic incident involving Jones, who was off-duty at the time.

Jones was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation and an investigation by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

According to a statement from SPD, Sgt. Jones “retired from the department” during the investigation.

SPD’s Matt Ray told 5NEWS that Jones has been with the department for 21 years and is assigned to patrol.

Jones is scheduled to appear in court for his trial on December 2, 2024.

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