Ala. Policeman Feared Missing Arrested in Vegas

"This is a sad day for our department here," said Stanford.

This photograph released by police in Decatur, Ala., shows Sarah Richardson, who is accused of...

This photograph released by police in Decatur, Ala., shows Sarah Richardson, who is accused of helping police Sgt. Faron White stage his disappearance in a bid to cover up an alleged theft. Police said Richardson, 29, of Decatur was arrested Monday, Jan. 5, 2009, on a charge of hindering prosecution. White was arrested in Las Vegas on a charge of stealing $2,500 from his department. (AP Photo/Decatur Police Department)

(AP)

White's family reported him missing Saturday morning after he didn't return from work Friday. For days, search crews scoured areas around the Tennessee River, looking for signs of Decatur's 2007 American Legion officer of the year.

His arrest was all the talk at a convenience store down a twisting, two-lane road from White's home in Falkville, south of Decatur.

"I've never heard anything bad about him until this," said Doug Farr.

White's wife, Shelly, declined comment Tuesday. The couple has three children.

Collier said the family had "no idea what had happened. They had been through several stressful days."

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Richardson was arrested at her home in Decatur and is being held on $2,500 bond. A police volunteer for a decade, she had been helping White's unit build a database of suspected methamphetamine dealers and labs.

White started with the department in 1986, working in the jail before becoming an officer. He worked his way up to running a unit of four or five members. The Legion noted when it honored him that his unit was responsible for 354 arrests and seizing more than $100,000 worth of cash, weapons and property from drug dealers.

Federal marshals in Las Vegas said White was being held as a fugitive without bail pending an extradition hearing Thursday. A police spokeswoman said it was not immediately clear if White had a lawyer.

Richardson was in the Decatur city jail Tuesday and there was no indication she had a lawyer. Additional charges are possible against both.

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Associated Press writer Ken Ritter in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

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