news-record.com

NEWS

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

Winston-Salem police officer dies of wounds

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
(Updated 3:48 pm)

WINSTON-SALEM — A critically wounded Winston-Salem police officer died Monday night, according to department officials.

Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, a 27-year veteran of the force, suffered a gunshot wound to the head in a shootout behind a Bojangles restaurant last Wednesday. He was 50 years old.

"Mickey was an exceptional person," said Police Chief Scott Cunningham in a statement late Monday. "For more than 27 years he dedicated his life to the service of others. Mickey sacrificed his protecting the citizens of Winston-Salem. His sacrifice was not in vain. He believed in what he was doing. He spent his life helping others."

Police said the shootout was the result of a fight between suspect Monte Denard Evans, 35 of Winston Salem, and his ex-wife who managed the restaurant. Hutchens was called to back up another officer, department officials said.

Officer Daniel Clark, 28, was also shot in the neck and abdomen, his life saved by a bullet proof vest. He was released from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center on Friday. Evans was killed in the gun battle.

Mayor Allen Joines declared a period of civic mourning from Tuesday to Friday and ordered the city's flags to be flown at half staff. He also has asked the office of President Barack Obama asking that U.S. flags be flown at half staff over the same period.

Even in death, Cunningham said, Hutchens was helping others.

"Mickey was an organ donor, and as we speak, a team of surgeons has removed his vital organs so that others may live," Cunningham said. "Were he here now, Mickey would encourage every person in this room, and in our city, to be an organ donor, too."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but Cunningham said they would be announced as soon as they are complete.

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Sgt. Mickey Hutchens

Comments

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

Inappropriate content? Please notify us.

Interested

October 12, 2009 - 9:24 pm EDT

Such a tragic loss, for the department, the community, and most importantly his family.

johnking

October 12, 2009 - 9:31 pm EDT

We will keep the family in our prayers

pragmatist

October 12, 2009 - 10:26 pm EDT

Dear God. Every day, people like Mickey Hutchens risk their lives to protect ours. I believe he's in a wonderful place reserved for heroes like him. God Bless his family and cops everywhere.

Zippy

October 12, 2009 - 10:47 pm EDT

May Sgt. Hutchens RIP. May his family heal through the power of God's love.

CopOnTheBeat

October 13, 2009 - 12:54 am EDT

He's walking his beat in heaven with his God now. Rest in peace, Sarge!

gsosteve

October 13, 2009 - 1:08 am EDT

10-42 KLS, 10-42. Those of who know what that means know what Sgt. Hutchens, his family, friends, and fellow officers have lost. We should all stop and take a moment to reflect upon the sacrifices that those who have sworn to protect our community make on a daily basis.

jeepdriver

October 13, 2009 - 4:53 am EDT

Sgt. Hutchens was a true example of a Christian. He is now walking in Paradise with is Saviour, Jesus Christ. Praying for healing for his family, the city of Winston Salem, and the Brotherhood of fellow officers.
On another note, thank God the perp was killed and spared the taxpayers the cost of trial and incarceration.

aintme

October 13, 2009 - 6:33 am EDT

What kind of a Christian are you? To talk about how Sgt. Hutchens is now walking with Jesus but "thank God the perpetrator was killed and spared the taxpayers the cost"? Our God is one of Grace, not vengeance.

justis4all

October 13, 2009 - 8:20 am EDT

aintme,
It's of my opinion that you should not be judging jeepdriver, it is NOT your place to sit in judgement!! Know what I mean??

CarolinaBorn

October 13, 2009 - 8:31 am EDT

Sounds to me the criminals fate has already been decided.

AirDoc

October 13, 2009 - 11:30 am EDT

Evans decided his own fate, which victimized the officers. Plain and simple.

mikec

October 13, 2009 - 5:55 am EDT

Sgt. Hutchins sacrifice serves as a reminder to all of us that there are very bad people among us and The Thin Blue Line is our vanguard. It would serve us well to remember that when we turn out the lights at night. Godspeed, Micky and know that you have our heartfelt gratitude.

Mike

Doug Johnson

October 13, 2009 - 6:52 am EDT

Our prayers to the officer and his family.

justsomebody

October 13, 2009 - 7:50 am EDT

My heart is heavy with grief for this family and my prayer is that you are able to find peace during this time. It is unfortunate that others are only reminded, when an officer dies, how they put their lives in danger every single day; but for the families and friends of police officers this is our reality.

CarolinaBorn

October 13, 2009 - 8:34 am EDT

God bless you and your family Mr Hutchens

nannie one

October 13, 2009 - 9:26 am EDT

I feel that everyone should give our police force (police,sheriff and highway patrol, US Marshal) all the respect in the world. They go out each day and night to protect us and they do not know if they will return to friends and family members. We should all say a prayer for the men and women that do this work each and everyday.My prays go out to this family now and to each and every family that has someone in the law field.

Scott220

October 13, 2009 - 10:21 am EDT

I am a Police Officer in Whiteville, NC and found out from my mother-in-law of the incident in Winston-Salem as i use to live there, so many times people look down on us as officers and mock us of the job we do but this is an Officer who upheld the law and went to do his job and paid the price with his life to protect those who called. My thoughts and prays go out to the family as well as the department who lost a brother and a friend.

ESLLEL

October 13, 2009 - 10:40 am EDT

What a TRAGGIC loss for something like this to happen over something so STUPID. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hutchins family at this time. If people would just do the right thing and let the police do there job and RESPECT them for that then this would not have happened in the beginning . RIP Mickey !

AirDoc

October 13, 2009 - 11:34 am EDT

My prayers go out to the Hutchens family, and every other officer who has ever placed themselves in the line of danger while performing their jobs. I think that would include all of them. As a side note, I wonder why the N&R posted this story on page 4 while the front page had stories about chocolate covered bacon and a high school fight. This deserved front page coverage.

Kesh

October 13, 2009 - 11:43 am EDT

My deepest prayers go out to the Hutchens & Evans families.

eMail Updates

Advertisement | Advertise with Us

Featured Ads

Search

Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Advertisement | Advertise with Us
Advertisement | Advertise with Us

News & Record Network Sites

Triad Weather

  • Current Condition: FAIR
  • Current Temperature: 46°
  • UV Idx: 0
  • Forecast High/Low: H: 0° L: 39°

User Tools

  • Social Networking
  • RSS
  • Share
  • Sign in to MyNR

Search