Oklahoma Police Officer, National Guard Member Dies in Arkansas Bar Fight

Staff and Wire Reports

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- An Oklahoma police officer and member of the Oklahoma National Guard who was punched in the nose during a bar fight died after he hit the floor, and an Arkansas man is facing charges related to the officer's death.

Police say 25-year-old Elzie Cain of Ardmore got into a fight with 26-year-old Aaron Threlkeld of Sheridan at about 4 a.m. Sunday at the Electric Cowboy in southwest Little Rock.

Cain sustained a head injury when he hit the floor and died at a hospital Sunday afternoon.

Although it's rare, doctors say it is possible that one hit is all it takes.

"It's one of those things where depending on how the blow occurs, what you hit your head on, how forceful the blow is and depending on exactly what happens when you hit the ground...You can have a simple knot on the head, all the way to a hemorrhage to the brain itself, which is what actually can hurt you," said Dr. Lance Williams, Norman Regional Hospital.

Police haven't said what the two were fighting about. According to Little Rock police, Threlkeld said he hit Cain because Cain swung at him first. Threlkeld is a nurse in Arkansas and has been suspended from his job.

Little Rock police spokesman Lt. Terry Hastings said Threlkeld was arrested for first-degree battery but said he expects the charge to be upgraded to first-degree murder. Threlkeld was released Sunday on $10,000 bond. His court date is Sept. 20.

The Ardmore Police Department released the following statement about Officer Cain's death:

"The Ardmore Police Department is deeply saddened by the loss of Officer Elzie Cain. He was a hard working officer who loved life and brought joy to those around him."

Cain was in the Little Rock area for sniper training as part of his duty with the Oklahoma National Guard. Officer Cain was scheduled to deploy to Iraq for the second time.

He leaves behind a 1-year-old son.