OZARK, Ark. — Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Phillips has determined that a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputy was justified in using deadly force during a May 15, 2026, incident in Franklin County.
On that date, two FCSO deputies responded to a reported stabbing on Cat Holler Road. Upon arrival, the deputies observed Patrick Poole, 54, fleeing toward a residence. Inside the home, deputies located Roy Lee Murphy, 62, on the floor with stab wounds and showing no signs of life.
The deputies exited the residence and awaited additional law enforcement support. FCSO SWAT personnel and Arkansas State Police (ASP) troopers responded to the scene. Poole was seen on the roof holding a knife before re-entering the residence through a window.
SWAT personnel breached the residence and located Poole. During an attempt to take him into custody, Poole resisted and attempted to disarm a deputy. A second deputy fired two rounds, striking Poole.
Jody Grinder, 55, was located in a bedroom, deceased.
At the request of the FCSO, special agents with the ASP Criminal Investigation Division investigated the officer-involved shooting.
In an Aug. 14, 2026, letter to ASP, Phillips stated that the deputy’s use of deadly force was justified because the deputy reasonably believed it was necessary to protect himself and fellow officers from the imminent use of deadly physical force if Poole gained control of the deputy’s weapon.
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