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The role of a game warden goes far beyond that of issuing tickets to hunters and fishermen for being over the limit. The officer could be thrust into a life- threatening situation outside the usual confines of a lake, duck blind or deer stand.
No one knows that more than Mike Neal who risked his life in crashing his state issued pickup into a van occupied by two gun-wielding assailants who claimed the lives of two West Memphis Police officers.
“The whole incident lasted only 90 minutes from the first traffic stop on I-40 to the time they were taken down,” Neal said Monday during a luncheon talk before the Marianna Rotary Club.
Two West Memphis Police officers were gunned down by the assailants, Jerry Kane, 44, and son, Joseph Kane, 16, during a traffic stop.
Neal, who has been an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission law enforcement officer for three years, presented a video that recapped the final minutes on a parking lot at Wal-Mart.
“They shot 18 rounds and I shot back 30 rounds,” Neal said of his close encounter with the assailants as he crashed his truck into the side of the gunmen’s van.
The gunmen had just fired upon Crittenden County Sheriff Richard Busby and Chief Deputy W.A. Wren in their vehicle wounding both.
Neal said his concern was that after he rammed his pickup into the driver’s side of the van his own vehicle would still be drivable allowing him to go in reverse before the assailants could return fire.
Neal said subduing the Kanes prevented further bloodshed.
“Had they been able to get out of their van and go into the Wal-Mart it could have been a lot worse,” Neal said.
After Neal’s daring action against the gunmen’s vehicle, a number of lawmen converged on the parking lot firing a barrage that claimed the gunmen’s lives.
Neal said he learned that that Joseph Kane was home schooled and was very devoted to his father, a convicted felon who had an outstanding warrant from New Mexico for carrying a large quantity of marijuana and an illegal firearm – both of which would have sent him back to prison.
“The boy fought to the death to protect his dad,” Neal said.
Neal said game wardens have the same authority as state troopers.
“I was trained to shoot through the windows of our vehicles,” Neal said.
Neal said he saw Jerry Kane “face-to-face” and “disengaged” the assailant from his weapon with his shots.
Neal received three medals for valor and other commendations for risking his life to help bring down the gunmen. He sustained slight injuries from glass that was shattered during the shootout.
The Brinkley native began his law enforcement career with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. He is also retired from the Brinkley Fire Department in 2009 after 10 years of service with the rank of captain. He is also vice president of his family’s business, Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home.
The role of a game warden goes far beyond that of issuing tickets to hunters and fishermen for being over the limit. The officer could be thrust into a life- threatening situation outside the usual confines of a lake, duck blind or deer stand.
No one knows that more than Mike Neal who risked his life in crashing his state issued pickup into a van occupied by two gun-wielding assailants who claimed the lives of two West Memphis Police officers.
“The whole incident lasted only 90 minutes from the first traffic stop on I-40 to the time they were taken down,” Neal said Monday during a luncheon talk before the Marianna Rotary Club.
Two West Memphis Police officers were gunned down by the assailants, Jerry Kane, 44, and son, Joseph Kane, 16, during a traffic stop.
Neal, who has been an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission law enforcement officer for three years, presented a video that recapped the final minutes on a parking lot at Wal-Mart.
“They shot 18 rounds and I shot back 30 rounds,” Neal said of his close encounter with the assailants as he crashed his truck into the side of the gunmen’s van.
The gunmen had just fired upon Crittenden County Sheriff Richard Busby and Chief Deputy W.A. Wren in their vehicle wounding both.
Neal said his concern was that after he rammed his pickup into the driver’s side of the van his own vehicle would still be drivable allowing him to go in reverse before the assailants could return fire.
Neal said subduing the Kanes prevented further bloodshed.
“Had they been able to get out of their van and go into the Wal-Mart it could have been a lot worse,” Neal said.
After Neal’s daring action against the gunmen’s vehicle, a number of lawmen converged on the parking lot firing a barrage that claimed the gunmen’s lives.
Neal said he learned that that Joseph Kane was home schooled and was very devoted to his father, a convicted felon who had an outstanding warrant from New Mexico for carrying a large quantity of marijuana and an illegal firearm – both of which would have sent him back to prison.
“The boy fought to the death to protect his dad,” Neal said.
Neal said game wardens have the same authority as state troopers.
“I was trained to shoot through the windows of our vehicles,” Neal said.
Neal said he saw Jerry Kane “face-to-face” and “disengaged” the assailant from his weapon with his shots.
Neal received three medals for valor and other commendations for risking his life to help bring down the gunmen. He sustained slight injuries from glass that was shattered during the shootout.
The Brinkley native began his law enforcement career with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. He is also retired from the Brinkley Fire Department in 2009 after 10 years of service with the rank of captain. He is also vice president of his family’s business, Bob Neal & Sons Funeral Home.
