JOHNSON COUNTY (KFSM) – The arraignment date for a man accused of killing a Johnson County reserve deputy is set for Friday (July 10), officials say.
Fred Kauffeld, 51, is set to enter his plea at the arraignment scheduled for Friday. He was charged with capital murder in June after authorities say he shot and killed a reserve deputy with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office following a residential burglary.
On May 15 around 1 a.m., authorities received a call about a house that was burglarized on County Road 1723 in Johnson County, officials said.
Authorities arrived at the home and determined there has been a forced entry, according to officials. A K-9 unit was called. The dogs picked up a scent and tracked over a fence.
At that point, deputies detected a heat signature with thermal imaging instrument, officials said. Smith ordered the burglary suspect to come out with his hands up, according to officials.
At that point, Smith was fired upon by Kauffeld, authorities said. Smith was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead, according to Arkansas State Police.
Kauffeld was taken into custody after the shooting.
According to Pope County Prosecutor David Gibbons, Kauffeld’s attorney is expected to enter the murder suspect’s plea without Kauffeld being present.
As of 10:30 a.m. on Monday (July 6), Kauffeld remains in custody at the Pope County Jail.
