Arkansas Police Chief's Solo Standoff Ends 140-MPH Chase Involving Infant

HAZEN, Ark. — What began as a standard traffic stop this week spiraled into a dangerous high-speed chase exceeding 140 miles per hour, ending with a lone police chief in a tense standoff against three suspects—all while an infant was secured in the backseat of the fleeing vehicle.

The incident, broadcast on Reelz's reality series On Patrol: Live, showcased the extreme risks law enforcement officers can face in rural jurisdictions. Host Dan Abrams introduced the segment, detailing how Hazen Police Chief Bradley Taylor initiated the stop only for the driver to immediately flee.

"The pursuit reached dangerous speeds on state highways," Abrams narrated. "At one point, a semi-truck inadvertently almost forced the suspect's car off the road. Chief Taylor eventually executed a PIT maneuver to disable the vehicle."

The footage cut to the aftermath: Chief Taylor, his service weapon drawn, issuing forceful commands to the driver already on the ground while two other occupants remained in the car. The cries of a child in a safety seat were audible throughout the confrontation.

"Let me see your hands! Get on the ground!" Taylor shouted. "Driver, get back out here! Face down—now. You understand me? There's a child right here!"

The suspect was seen climbing over the infant's seat before being subdued. After securing him, Taylor turned his attention to the remaining occupants, ordering them to show their hands and warning against any sudden movements.

In a live interview following the clip, Chief Taylor described the tactical dilemma. "That was a bad feeling," he told Abrams. "I've been in this a long time, and I was in a very vulnerable position. If a gunfight had started, I would have been at a severe disadvantage because there was no chance I would fire with that baby so close."

He explained his heightened commands: "I was outnumbered three to one. I had to establish immediate control, which meant being more assertive than usual."

The child, unharmed, was cared for by officers at the scene. "Officer Walker got the baby, brought him to a patrol car, and let him watch some cartoons," Taylor said. "We contacted the mother, provided milk and snacks. The officers took turns looking after him until he was safely returned."

When asked about the mother's reaction, Taylor noted, "She was understandably upset—primarily at the child's father, who was one of the suspects."

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Marcus Thorne, 48, retired patrol officer from Little Rock: "Chief Taylor displayed remarkable restraint and presence of mind. His priority was clearly de-escalation and child safety, even while outgunned. This is a textbook example of training meeting a worst-case scenario."

Dr. Lena Choi, 41, criminal justice professor at University of Arkansas: "While the outcome was positive, the incident underscores systemic issues. A chase at that speed with an infant present posed an enormous public risk. We must examine policies on when pursuits are justified versus when air support or controlled termination should be mandated."

Riley Carson, 29, community advocate and podcast host: "This is terrifying on every level. A baby used as what—a shield? An accident waiting to happen? And one cop against three? It's a miracle no one was killed. This isn't 'good TV'—it's a failure that could have ended in tragedy, and it should make everyone question how we handle public safety."

Captain David Mireles (Ret.), 60, former pursuit driving instructor: "The semi-truck's involvement shows how quickly innocent bystanders get dragged into these situations. Taylor's tactical patience was critical. He waited for the PIT opportunity, contained the scene, and protected the child. That's professional policing under fire."

The full segment is available on Reelz's On Patrol: Live.