Alexander police officer surrenders to State Police after warrant for his arrest issued

Alexander Police Officer Calvin Nicholas “Nick” Salyers, 33, surrendered himself to Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police (ASP) Criminal Investigation Division on Wednesday, July 8 according to an ASP press release. He was then formerly served with a warrant for Manslaughter, a Class C felony. Salyers has been charged in the shooting death of fellow Alexander Police Officer Scott Hutton, 36, of Bryant.

Photo taken during booking of
Calvin Nicholas Salyers into the
Saline County Detention Center.

The shooting occurred around 7:12 PM on June 3. Saline County Sheriff’s Deputies were sent to the scene at 15458 Evergreen Drive in Alexander where they found Hutton wounded by a gunshot and lying outside the residence. Hutton was transported to a Little Rock hospital where physicians pronounced him dead.

The warrant, issued July 8, charges Salyers with, “[U]nlawfully and feloniously on or about June 3, 2020 recklessly cause the death of Scott Hutton.”

In the warrant Manslaughter is defined as, “[R]ecklessly causes the death of another person.” The warrant is also, “[S]eeking enhancement of sentence in that the defendant employed a firearm in the commission of the offense.”

At the request of the Alexander Police Department the investigation was conducted by the Arkansas State Police. According to the ASP press release, once the investigation was complete the report was submitted to the Saline County prosecuting attorney who made the final decision whether or not to file charges.

According to the affidavit submitted by ASP Special Agent Ryan Jacks, Hutton drove to the Evergreen Drive address to pick up a patrol vehicle from Salyers. Prior to arriving at 7:12 PM Hutton made two attempts by phone to alert Salyers he was on his way.

“At 7:09:20 PM., Hutton made an outgoing phone call to Salyers’ personal phone, but wasn’t connected,” the affidavit states. “Then, at 7:09:36 PM., Hutton sent a text to Salyers’ cell phone number stating, ‘Are you awake?’”

Hutton parked in the driveway, walked onto the porch and knocked on the front door, according to the affidavit. Inside Salyers, and his girl friend Ashlee Cummings, were laying on the couch watching a movie. When hearing the knocking Salyers said he went to the door carrying his Glock .40 caliber handgun.

“[H]e looked through the peep hole and saw a figure standing on his porch with a dark shirt and a gun on his hip,” according to the affidavit. “Salyers stated that he transferred his weapon from his right hand to his left hand and reached for the door knob and as he opened the door, the gun went off, firing a round through the front door.”

As Salyers continued to open the door Hutton fell off the porch. According to Salyers it was then he realized it was Hutton when seeing him on the ground.

Salyers and Cummings called 911 requesting an ambulance. The affidavit includes a quote from the 911 call with Salyers saying, “[A]ll I seen was a gun, it was an accidental discharge.”

A search of the scene by ASP confirms statements made by Salyers, according to the affidavit. “[A]gents located a single bullet hole in the front door near the peep hole. The bullet appeared to have traveled from inside the residence, through the main door and then through the glass storm door.” The hand gun, “[W]as found on the floor just inside the door threshold. … Powder burns and a C-Shape ring of residue were left around the hole” indicating the weapon was pressed up against the door when fired.

The investigation also found the bullet had, “[S]truck Officer Hutton in the upper right chest, traveled across his body, entered and exited his heart, then and wedged under the skin on his left side. Based on Officer Hutton’s injury, it was likely he was standing at an angle and not squarely facing the door.” During the 911 call Salyers began providing medical aid to Hutton.

Hutton was dressed in a black polo type shirt, khaki tactical pants and a typical police-style gun belt with a badge positioned next to his holstered firearm.

While interviewing Alexander Training Sgt. Matt Wharton he repeated a statement Salyers made to him during the early stages of the Minneapolis riots. According to Wharton Salyers said if any rioters came to his residence he would, “[S]hoot through the door.” Wharton said he instructed Salyers could not do that because it would be, “[R]eckless and negligent.” Wharton told Salyers they can’t, “[S]hoot anyone without identifying them first,” and establish they are a threat.

Salyers was booked at the Saline County Detention Center on July 8 at 8:13 AM. He was released on $15,000 bond at 5:18 PM the same day.

A Class C felony is punishable with a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment for a period between 3 to 10 years, or both.

Ironically, Salyers was recently presented with a Life Saving Award for medical aid he provided to Alexander Council Member Jeff Watson after he was stabbed three times in front of his home. The incident occurred April 21. He received the award at the May 18 council meeting. Watson survived the attack.

Salyers has been an Alexander police officer since 2017. He serves as the department’s K-9 officer.