Following a seven-day manhunt that involved upwards of 20 different law enforcement agencies, a multiple-murder suspect in neighboring Stewart County was taken into custody on Friday. The alleged murderer, 53-year-old Kirby Gene Wallace, was taken down by Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew and Cpl. Stacey Bostwick.
More than four counties, including Benton County, were put on high alert when Wallace allegedly attacked a couple in Stewart County on September 23. Police believe he tied them up, and set their home on fire, killing the woman and seriously injuring the man. Four days later, police suspect he tied up and robbed an elderly woman in her home in nearby Montgomery County.
The suspect eluded police in the thicket and brush that connects Stewart to Montgomery County. According to Tennessee Bureau Investigation’s Public Information Officer Susan Niland authorities searched deep into the woods, including caves in the area. Some caves housed deadly snakes making the search more difficult and dangerous.
In his own words, Belew described the moments leading up to Wallace’s arrest. He said that around 10:15 a.m. on Friday morning, he and Bostwick followed a scent picked up by Rowdy, the K-9 unit at the sheriff’s office. The two took watch in deer stands for better visibility of a larger area. “I saw someone moving about 40 yards to my right, the suspect stepped under an oak tree and I could identify him as the suspect. He had not seen me. He continued to walk towards me. I let him get around 25-yards in front of me and I then identified myself and drew down on him.”
Belew said the fugitive was cooperative at first but then stepped behind a tree before getting to the sheriff. “When he came out from the left side of the tree, he had his hands around his waist. I then anticipated a fire fight,” he said. “Luckily, he puts his hands back up and went to his knees. I covered him while Bostwick got down out of the deer stand and then he covered him, while I got out of mine. We both cuffed him.”
Belew went on to say that Wallace had a loaded pistol in his waistband and even admitted that he contemplated shooting his way out of the situation. The sheriff said, “We were very fortunate that we didn’t end up in a shootout with the suspect. He didn’t take that action and we are very thankful.”
Belew, Bostwick, and the entire staff of deputies received media attention including national news following the arrest.
The suspect remains in jail and faces charges in both Stewart and Montgomery Counties.
