People across central Arkansas are remembering Joey Cannon, not just as a 27-year law enforcement veteran, but as a family man and friend. The funeral for Officer Cannon is Tuesday at 1PM at the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. Monday, a visitation was held and family and friends packed the church to pay their respects.
They started pouring in long before the wake began. Family, friends and law enforcement from across the area proved what Officer Joey Cannon meant to the community. Even the Patriot Guard Riders, who typically honor fallen U.S. military, came to support this lost law officer.
“He was a friend to everyone, a really good guy,” says James Devolld who came 35 miles from Perryville, the town Cannon called home. He says the loss of a police officer is a loss for society. “They save lives, help people.”
At the Plumerville Police Department where the three officer team is down to two there's still a job to do, despite the pain. They're doing their best to cover Officer Cannon's shift, counting on investigators for justice, and remembering the man they called co-worker and friend.
"That's why he got up every day and came in here because he knew he was helping people," Police Chief Bill Hartman said.
The funeral is happening at the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist church at 1pm Tuesday. It’s about 4 miles north of Plumerville on highway 92.
The man accused of killing officer Cannon is behind bars in Faulkner County. Shane Lonix was arrested Friday in Mayflower. Monday, he was charged with capital murder. He’s being held without bond. So far no hearing date has been set. Lonix also faces charges of felon in possession of a firearm and theft by receiving.
A second man, Jerry Lankford, was arrested at the scene in Conway County but all charges have been dropped and he has been released from jail. Police do not believe Lankford had anything to do with the death of Officer Cannon.
