According to statements by Winston Salem Police Chief, Scott Cunningham and Assistant Police Chief Barry Rountree, the fatal shooting took place on Wed. morning Oct. 7 after Hutchens and Officer Daniel Clark responded to a domestic violence call at the Bojangles Restaurant on Peters Creek Parkway in Winston Salem. The suspect, Monte Denard Evans, 25 of Winston Salem, fled the scene and officers were involved in a foot pursuit. The officers had caught the suspect in Salem Creek when the shooting began. When it was over, Evans had been fatally wounded, Hutchens had been shot once in the head and Clark was shot twice, one time in the neck and one time in the abdomen. “Mickey was an exceptional person. For more than 27 years he dedicated his life to the service of others,” said Cunningham. “Mickey sacrificed his life 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.”
Winston Salem Mayor Allen Joines has declared Oct. 13 through Oct. 16 a period of civic mourning and has ordered city flags to be flown at half-mast. He has also sent a request to the President of the United States seeking authorization to fly the US flags at half-mast as well.”
In a statement prepared by a representative of the Hutchens family, they extended their appreciation to all for their overwhelming support and prayers. “We would like to say thank you to Mrs. Hutchens’ extended family at Wake Forest University and our church families. We ask that you continue to pray for Officer Daniel Clark, his wife and their unborn baby. We are eternally grateful to Officer Clark for his bravery.”
The Forbush Community where the Hutchens family lived has pulled even closer together. After holding a prayer vigil on Friday evening during the Forbush football game, the community organized a blood drive in honor of Hutchens. HOSA Coordinator, Billy Sapp was thrilled with the turn out, though the accomplishment was bittersweet. “The outpouring of support and condolences from the community has just been overwhelming,” she said. Others involved in making the blood drive a reality were the Forbush FFA and Mike Trivette, Home Ec. Classes who made cookies, students who registered and provided day care services to donors, Bojangles Corporate Headquarters in Charlotte who sent food and unexpectedly food came from the Yadkinville Dominoes and the Yadkinville McDonalds. Law enforcement from all over the state came to donate blood. “We’re just doing what they’ve done for us in the past,” said Det. Tejada from the Rockingham Sheriff’s Department. Most who were waiting patiently to donate blood had no connection to Hutchens. They saw the announcement on television and came to help.
The goal of 115 was close to being met before 12 noon, according to American Red Cross Blood Collections Representative, Shannon Mitchell. Walk-ins were cut off around 11 a.m., but they did not turn away any law enforcement officers. “They need to do this,” said Mitchell.
Funeral arrangements had not been provided prior to press time.
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