Girlfriend detained as Tennessee Blue Alert continues for suspect accused of critically wounding Memphis police officer

Statewide search expands after officer shooting in Parkway Village

Authorities issued a Tennessee Blue Alert overnight Friday as the search continued for a 40-year-old man wanted in the shooting of a Memphis Police Department officer in the Parkway Village area.

The suspect, Danell Maxwell, is sought on a charge of attempted first-degree murder. Investigators have described him as armed and dangerous and asked the public to report information about his whereabouts to law enforcement.

Timeline: shooting, alert, and detention

• Thursday evening (about 8 p.m.): An MPD officer was shot in Parkway Village. Authorities said the officer was critically injured.

• Just after midnight Friday: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a Blue Alert for Maxwell, providing a physical description and noting he was last seen wearing dark clothing and a high-visibility reflective vest.

• Early morning hours of Feb. 26: Officers located Maxwell’s girlfriend near 3rd Street and Horn Lake Road. Authorities said she told officers she had recently dropped Maxwell off on Broadway Street in West Memphis, Arkansas. She was detained as the search continued.

What is confirmed about the suspect description

Authorities described Maxwell as 5 feet 10 inches tall and approximately 180 pounds. A statewide alert remains active, and officials have said the suspect’s last known direction of travel is unknown.

A Blue Alert is used to broadcast information quickly when a suspect is sought in connection with a serious attack on law enforcement, expanding awareness beyond local jurisdictions.

Jurisdictional questions and investigative focus

The detention of Maxwell’s girlfriend and the report that he may have been dropped off in West Memphis highlight how quickly an incident that begins in Memphis can shift into a multi-agency, multi-jurisdiction search across state lines. Investigators have not publicly detailed what charges, if any, the detained woman may face, or whether she is considered a witness, a person of interest, or a suspect in any separate offense.

Officials also have not released the officer’s name or additional details about the circumstances of the shooting, including whether the officer was responding to a call, conducting a traffic stop, or engaged in another enforcement activity at the time.

Public safety guidance

Authorities have urged residents not to approach Maxwell and to contact law enforcement with tips. As the search continues, officials have emphasized that the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.