KARK reports that the family of Billy Jones, jailed for the killing of Sebastian County Deputy Bill Cooper, has issued a statement of regret.

Jones, 35, is being held for killing Cooper and wounding Hackett Police Chief Darrell Spells. He reportedly opened fire when they arrived at his home Wednesday morning to check following a call from Jones’ father. The younger  Jones was due in court later in the day on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

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The statement:


“It is with our deepest regrets that we mourn the tragic loss of one of our county’s finest officers. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Cooper family during this time of loss, along with our deepest sympathies. We extend our gratitude for all of those involved in yesterday’s tragic yet unexplainable events. We mourn our losses as a community and as a family in hopes for restoration and healing,” reads the statement from the family of Billy Jones that was released Thursday.

A search is still underway for a police dog that ran off when gunfire hit the patrol car in which the dog had been. 

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