Arkansas Chief Dies In The Line Of Duty

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Arkansas Chief Dies In The Line Of Duty

Updated: 11-14-2005 10:02:26 AM

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JILLIAN MCGEHEE

Benton Courier

Ken Mitchell, chief of the Tull Volunteer Fire Department and pastor at Saline Missionary Baptist Church in Tull, made the ultimate sacrifice Thursday morning.

Mitchell, 59, died while responding to a house fire at 8722 W. Cherry St. in Tull. He was pronounced dead at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton.

The cause of death is unknown. Mitchell's body was taken to the state Crime Laboratory in Little Rock for an autopsy.

The blaze destroyed a wood-frame house, which was unoccupied. No other injuries were reported.

Firefighters responded to the scene around 10:20 a.m.

Grant County Sheriff's Sgt. Brett Turner said the cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation. Authorities said criminal charges could be filed in connection with Mitchell's death if investigators determine that the fire was deliberately set or was caused during the course of a crime.

Authorities did say that some evidence at the scene suggested that the house could have been used at some point for a clandestine methamphetamine lab.

James Simpson, a Tull volunteer firefighter since 1982, said he arrived on scene shortly after Mitchell. He said as firefighters prepared to extinguish the fire, Mitchell went to sit in his truck. Emergency personnel saw Mitchell in distress and pulled him out of the truck to perform CPR, Simpson said.

People who knew Mitchell described him as “helpful, dedicated and loyal.â€

“There's no way to describe how great he was,†Simpson said. “He was a big asset to the community.â€

Mitchell was pastor of the church since 1981. Shirley Coppock, a member of the church since 1954, said Mitchell was “a caring pastor, a helpful neighbor and a loyal friend.â€

She said that under Mitchell's leadership, the church purchased property and constructed its first parsonage “with Mitchell serving as the first pastor on the field.†Among other advancements, she said, Mitchell spearheaded projects such as adding brick to the church's exterior, installing a choir loft complete with a sound system, adding a church baptistery, five Sunday School classrooms, a storage area ... “ and replacing the bell tower that was struck by a tornado in 1941.

“A strong advocate of mission work and Christ's command in Matthew 28, verses 19 and 20: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... ,†Coppock said, “he was instrumental in the church helping to finance the construction of two churches in India†in addition to other state and foreign mission endeavors.

To mark the church's 100th anniversary in October 1987, Mitchell helped develop its first pictorial directory, Coppock added.

She said Mitchell was not only the pastor of Saline Missionary Baptist Church, but “he ministered to others in Tull and throughout the area.â€

“He encouraged the church in other benevolent acts of assistance as needed in the community and areas throughout the state and nation.â€

Simpson, also a member of the church, noted that Mitchell performed more than 160 weddings and funerals in the community.

Coppock shared Simpson's sentiments that Mitchell will be greatly missed in the community. “If we could bring him back, we would in a heartbeat,†she said.

“His place in the church is empty. His place in the pulpits of this country is empty. His place in the Tull Volunteer Fire Department and in the community is empty, but in our hearts, he lives,†she said.

Benton Fire Chief Ben Blankenship, who instructed Mitchell during his initial firefighter training, said Mitchell was dedicated to helping others.

“He was a very dedicated man. He dedicated his life to helping others. He was willing to give his life for his community,†Blankenship said.

Blankenship added that every firefighter, “when they pin on a badge, they make a commitment to give their lives if necessary. If they do pay the price, it's something that they've committed to do.â€

He said that he is surprised when people are surprised that every person wearing a badge has made the commitment to give his life in the line of duty. “It's a very dangerous profession, one of the deadliest in the world, and it rarely touches close to home, but when it does, it has a stronger impact.â€

He noted that “the vast majority of firefighters are volunteers - about 90 percent. Thank God we've got our volunteer firefighters. They're not compensated, some are appreciated, some are ignored, they are very special people.â€

Mitchell is survived by his wife, Irene; his children, Gary and Kelly Mitchell of Tull and Kerry Mitchell of Alexander; and two grandchildren, Alec and Lexie Mitchell of Texas.

Coppock added that Mitchell loved to sing and was a quartet member of the church along with his wife, Johnny Harrison, James Simpson and Cathy Harrison on the piano. “His favorite hymn was “Victory in Jesus,†she said.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Ashby Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Firefighters from Tull, Shaw, Bauxite and Traskwood responded to the fire.

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