A COP kidnapped and brutally shot a man dead whilst on duty, according to the Memphis Commerical Appeal.

Patric Ferguson, 26,who had searched for ways to destroy DNA evidence was charged with the murder and abduction of 30-year-old Robert Howard.

The alarm was raised on Wednesday night when Howard's girlfriend called cops and told them she hadn't seen him since late Tuesday afternoon.

She said she had used an app to track her boyfriend's phone, which tragically lead her to his device, but there was no sign of Howard.

She filed a missing person's report and cops began their search.

“After a review of the evidence in this case, it was found that Ferguson, acting on his own accord, armed himself with his personal handgun, encountered the victim outside the residence, and forced the victim in the rear of a squad car,” police said.

“Ferguson then drove to the area of Frayser Boulevard and Denver Street, where he shot and killed Mr. Howard.”

A second man, Joshua Rogers, 28, allegedly helped Ferguson to relocate Mr Howard's body after he was killed, say police.

Rogers was charged with accessory after the fact, abuse of a corpse and fabricating and tampering with evidence.

Howard was brutally murdered just half a mile from where he was forced into Ferguson's cop car.

He was then moved five miles and dumped near the Mississippi River.

“Ferguson’s search history in his cell phone revealed multiple incriminating Internet searches related to cleaning up crime scenes and how to destroy DNA evidence,

“Additionally, surveillance video was obtained by investigators which captured the shooting of the victim while Ferguson was on-duty,” the affidavit says.

Ferguson had also purchased cinder blocks, chains and padlocks he had used to hide evidence, according to cops.

Ferguson and Rogers waived their Miranda rights and confessed to their horrifying crime.

“Ferguson then drove to a nearby location where he shot the victim while in the back of the patrol car,” the affidavit says. “Ferguson then drove to a nearby location where deposited the victim before later coming back to move the body.”

He came back, he said, with his friend Rogers, who told police he helped move the body “from the first location to Rogers’ residence.”

“Rogers stated he and Ferguson then wrapped the victim’s body before taking him to another location,” the affidavit says. “Rogers stated he then took his vehicle used to transport the victim and sold it at a scrap yard.”

Ferguson was charged with first degree murder, first degree murder with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, abuse of a corpse, and fabricating and tampering with evidence.

Ferguson and Rogers, who was released on a $25,000 bond on Sunday, are expected in court today.

Ferguson, who has worked with the Memphis Police Department since October 2018 is being held without bond for the crime.

“No one is above the law,” Memphis Police Department Director Michael Rallings said in the statement.

“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.”

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