City Digest
The Sentinel-Record 8-18-1977

The Hot Springs Civil Service Commission has continued indefinitely a suspension of police Lt. Thurman Abernathy which was initiated by Police Chief Grover Douglas on July 8, when the officer was charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of Garland County Sheriff’s Deputy Linda Edwards.

Although Abernathy had been suspended on the day he was charged, Douglas said Wednesday the commission had to review the suspension without pay since state law and commission regulations do not permit a police chief to suspend an officer for more than 30 days.

According to Douglas, the commission’s continuation of the suspension was made for an indefinite period of time, pending the outcome of Abernathy’s trial.