Forty years ago-Feb. 3, 1977-Lt. Ed Worrell and Officer James Clark of the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department responded to a reported burglary at the Howard Discount Center on State Line Avenue.
The break-in was still in progress when Worrell and Clark arrived, so they got out of their vehicles to check out the situation.
From the bank parking lot next door, a 15-year-old named John Lohbauer was standing lookout. He was armed with a high-powered rifle. And he opened fire, striking both officers.
Clark would recover. But Worrell, shot in the back. was pronounced dead an hour later at the hospital. He left a pregnant wife and two children.
Two teens inside the store were arrested. Lohbauer fled but was picked up a short time later. The three were passing through Texarkana after running away from their homes in Illinois on a lark and broke into Howard's to steal ammunition for the weapons they carried. What started out as a burglary ended up with two police officers shot, one fatally.
A few months later, in August, Lohbauer pleaded guilty to murder, burglary and first-degree battery. He got life for the murder of Worrell and 20 years on each of the other two counts. His two accomplices took a plea deal that November and received 40-year sentences.
Lohbauer is still in prison. He has twice applied for clemency and twice been denied. Now, thanks to a 2012 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that minors sentenced to life must have the opportunity for parole, he has a chance at release. Lohbauer has applied for parole.
In our view, John Lohbauer is exactly where he needs to be.
Yes, he was a juvenile. But he took the life of a police officer. He tried to take the life of another. Some may be willing to say his youth should be considered, that this was all a mistake and he should have a chance at a productive life.
We disagree. Worrell didn't have that chance. His children and unborn child certainly didn't have a life with their father or his wife with her husband after that day in 1977.
There must be consequences. The judge sentenced Lohbauer to life plus 40 years. He has served nearly those 40 years. Now he can start doing life.
If you oppose Lohbauer's parole, we urge you to write the Arkansas Parole Board at Two Union Plaza, 105 W. Capitol Ave. No. 500, Little Rock, AR 72201. Be sure to reference John C. Lohbauer by name and inmate number, 070497.
The state parole board must receive your input by May 31, so you have just a few days.
John Lohbauer belongs in prison. And the best way to honor the memory of Lt. Ed Worrell is to help keep him there.
