Ark. Police Mourn Officers Slain by Armed Teen, Dad

(May 26) -- West Memphis, Ark., Police Chief Bob Paudert has returned to work, but his force is two men short. The department is still mourning the loss of two officers -- including Paudert's son -- who were gunned down in the line of duty by a 16-year-old shooter and his father.

Sgt. Brandon Paudert, 39, was conducting a routine traffic stop on May 20 with fellow officer Bill Evans, 38, when police say both were fatally shot by two individuals wielding AK-47s: 16-year-old Joseph Kane and his father, Jerry, a reported anti-government extremist. Both suspects died 90 minutes later in a shootout in a Walmart parking lot that left two other West Memphis police officers wounded.

"These animals had no value for human life," Chief Paudert told the Commercial Appeal newspaper. "I believe justice was served in that parking lot. ... Lord knows how many people, officers and innocent bystanders could have been killed in that parking lot if they hadn't been stopped."

Paudert said he remains haunted by the sight of his son's bullet-riddled body at the side of an interstate highway. He recalled arriving at the scene to find his son alone as officers huddled around Evans.

"No one was around Brandon," Paudert told the Commercial Appeal. "I walked over there to him. He was lying face-up staring straight at the sky. The whole pavement was full of blood. ... It was obvious why he was by himself and Bill was getting all the attention. ... There was absolutely no doubt he was gone."

Paudert added, "Seeing your beautiful son looking at you like that was the most horrible thing that's ever happened to me in my life. Ever."

According to investigators, the Kanes' bullets pierced the officers' car, shattering the glass. Brandon Paudert was shot in the back of the head.

Chief Paudert said he wouldn't allow his wife, Linda, who is recovering from open-heart surgery, to see her son immediately after the shooting.

"I told her to stay in the car," he said. "I was afraid she was going to die and I just knew I couldn't lose two people at one time."

At a funeral held Monday, Brandon was remembered as a loving husband to his wife, Kim; a kind father to their three children; and a committed police officer.

"He told me every day about how much he loved his job. ... He was truly a hero," Brandon's longtime friend, Ryan Higdeon, told WREG-TV. "He did his job to protect us. He will just truly be missed."

A funeral for Evans, who leaves behind a fiancee and two sons, was also held Monday.

Upon returning to work Tuesday, Chief Paudert ordered West Memphis police officers to begin carrying shotguns on traffic stops.

"Brandon and Bill had no chance against an AK-47," Paudert told the Commercial Appeal. "They were completely outgunned. We are dealing with people who rant and rave about killing. They want government officials dead. We had a 16-year-old better armed than the police."