MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The police chief in Tyronza, Arkansas was detained and questioned by investigators following an accusation of sexual assault, the Fulton County sheriff and Tyronza’s mayor said.
Edward “E. J.” Roach, 30, was taken to jail and released. He has not been charged, officials said.
Roach was camping with friends at the Spring River on Memorial Day weekend when he was accused, Tyronza Mayor Charles Glover said.
Tyronza officials are waiting on the results of an investigation to see if there will be charges submitted. Until then, Roach is still on the job.
Glover said Roach has only been on the job about a month, and was also an officer in Lepanto. So far, Glover said, he’s been a good chief. Roach oversees one full-time officer and two part-time officers.
People WREG talked to in town were shocked by the news and hope the investigation plays out fairly. City council member Mike Hood believes more needs to be done to provide the public with answers.
“I think he needs to be suspended until the investigation is over with,” Hood said. “I think we need to know what’s going on because we have people asking us questions about the situation.”
This is the second chief of the Tyronza Police Department finding themselves with a mugshot within the last six months. Tony Postell resigned from the position of chief in early April after he was arrested for third degree domestic battery.
