Authorities said a Memphis police officer was accused of kidnapping and killing a man while on duty.
Patrick Ferguson, 29, was arrested Sunday for kidnapping and shooting 30-year-old Robert Howard after forcing him to sit in the back seat of a squad car, according to statement By the Memphis Police Department.
Police said Ferguson, who was on duty and “acting on his own,” drove Howard about a third of a mile from the victim’s home where he killed him with his personal pistol.
Howard was last seen at his home on Tuesday around 5 p.m., according to police. The next day, police said, he was reported missing after his girlfriend tracked his phone but was unable to locate him.
The Police Department said Ferguson was arrested and fired immediately on Sunday. The police said that the former police officer was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree murder in committing aggravated kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, misuse of the corpse, and fabricating and manipulating evidence.
Ferguson has been with MPD since October 2018, according to police.
Police said the second person, Joshua Rogers, 28, was arrested for allegedly assisting Ferguson in transporting the victim’s body. Rogers was charged with the attachment after the incident, misuse of the corpse, and the fabrication and tampering of evidence.
It was not immediately clear on Monday whether Ferguson and Rogers had attorneys.
Ferguson was held without any bond while Rogers was released on $ 25,000 bail, according to Shelby County Jail.
According to prison records, a hearing was scheduled for Ferguson and Rogers Monday morning.
The Shelby County Public Defense Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.
“Nobody is above the law,” MPD Director Michael Rawlings said in a statement. “Knowing that a Memphis police officer, someone who has sworn to protect and serve, made the decision to commit this horrific crime is devastating.”
“Alcohol scholar. Twitter lover. Zombieaholic. Hipster-friendly coffee fanatic.”