By Sarah Calams
JONESBORO, Ark. — Last month, 38-year-old Vincent Parks died during a department training exercise. He had only been with the Jonesboro Police Department for one month. Now, his death has become a criminal investigation.
Vincent Parks died on July 17 while attending his first day at the Central Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported. At the time of his death, police said Parks showed signs of “medical distress” when he arrived for training.
Arkansas State Police spokesperson Bill Sadler told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Parks’ death became a criminal investigation after “new facts that were contrary to original statements.”
Jami Cook, Department of Public Safety Director, said Parks “‘fell out’ after jogging to and from his car and engaging in four minutes of calisthenics.”
Following Parks’ death, four other recruits at the same academy were sent to another training facility. Parks leaves behind his wife and daughter.