Memphis Officer Charged With Kidnapping And Murdering Man While On Duty

A Memphis police officer has been arrested and charged with kidnapping and murdering a man whose body was recovered Sunday after being reported missing the previous week.

Patric Ferguson, 29, armed with his personal handgun, allegedly kidnapped the victim, forced him into his squad car and shot him after driving him away from his residence.

The victim, identified as 30-year-old Robert Howard, was last seen on Jan. 5. His girlfriend tracked his cell phone using an app but could not find him. She then reported him missing to the police, according to a statement from the Memphis Police Department (MPD).

The investigators arrested Ferguson after a "thorough investigation" and he was immediately relieved from duty. He was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree murder in perpetration of aggravated kidnapping, especially aggravated kidnapping, abuse of a corpse and fabricating and tampering with evidence.

The investigators obtained surveillance video showing Ferguson shooting the victim at the back of his car while on duty. They also obtained evidence establishing that the officer bought cinderblocks, chains and padlocks at a local hardware store, reported news outlet WMC.

Ferguson has been employed with MPD since October 2018 and was assigned to the Tillman Station.

The officials have not revealed the motive behind the murder and the exact relationship between the two. However, they confirmed that Ferguson had admitted to killing Howard and that they had known each other.

The police have also recorded the arrest of Joshua Rogers, 28, an acquaintance of Ferguson who allegedly assisted him in relocating Howard's body after the murder. Rogers was charged with accessory after the fact, abuse of a corpse and fabricating and tampering with evidence.

Ferguson was booked into Shelby County Jail and has not been granted bail. Meanwhile, Rogers has been released on a $25,000 bond, according to court records. They are both scheduled to appear in court Monday, reported ABC News.

"No one is above the law. Knowing that a Memphis police officer, someone who took an oath to protect and serve, made the decision to commit this horrific crime is devastating. His actions were not that of a law enforcement officer and should not reflect on fellow officers," Director Michael Rallings said in the statement.