The police chief of Caruthersville addresses the youngest series of violent crimes

Caruthersville, Mo. (KFVS) – the police chief of Caruthersville, Jerry Hudgens, said his department had gone without violent crimes for several months.

But after the incidents of last week, Chief Hudgens said that he did not want to determine the alleged criminals how his community was considered.

“The good has to be talked about, and unfortunately it is not what is talking about,” said Hudgens.

“It was two or three weeks since we had three rather large events in the city in different places where people could come together,” he said. “Go to these events without incidents, so these are the things that don't really come out and don't make it in public.”

After two shootings and a stab for over four days, Hudgens went to social media in order to counteract negative perceptions about Caruthersville.

“We are not just a negative heading, a negative press release or whatever,” he said. “And we have many good citizens here, many good citizens.”

But Hudgens said that the “good” is often overshadowed by what he calls “bad actor”.

“And it is not fair to the citizens who don't, if they know that they don't go out. Who can have a good time on a weekend, go to an event and actually make contacts and go home without having violence,” he said.

In front of the latest series of violent crimes, the police chief said that things were pretty quiet in Caruthersville.

“Fortunately, we went pretty well, and then suddenly we only have these in a row,” he said.

Hudgens said the other work that his officers could do in the community in the community.

“Services that we offer. The traffic on which we cannot work-they are traffic offices and things-if we concentrate on a shooting or a serious injury law, and these resources will only decrease from the rest of the community,” he explained.

And while we go to the summer months, Hudgens hopes to close the gap between his officers and the people they serve.

“We have to find a way to have more communication, open discussions and to work together as a community,” he said.

While the current cases are still being investigated, he encourages people to use the police's crediting line (573) 333-2121 if they have additional information.

Copyright 2025 KFVS. All rights reserved.