Camden mourning loss of Arkansas’ oldest police officer L.C. ‘Buckshot’ Smith, remembering him as the officer who ‘took more people home than to jail’

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2024

Camden mourning loss of Arkansas’ oldest police officer L.C. ‘Buckshot’ Smith, remembering him as the officer who ‘took more people home than to jail’

CAMDEN, Ark. – A Camden man known as the oldest police officer to serve in Arkansas is being remembered after officials with the Camden Police Department announced his death Thursday.

Officer L.C. Smith, also known as ‘Buckshot,’ was 95 at the time of his death. He’d just retired from the police department two years ago as the oldest police officer in Arkansas at the age of 93.

Camden police mourning the passing of former officer L.C. “Buckshot” Smith

James Woods, owner of Woods Place in Camden, said Buckshot spent every Thursday inside his restaurant with a plate of ribs.

“He was kind of like a little celebrity,” Woods said.

But his lengthy career in law enforcement, which spanned more than six decades, captured the attention and hearts of people across the world.

“We had a lot of people come in doing interviews,” Don Banks, owner of Banks World Famous Pawn Shop, said. “Lester Holt sent a crew here even.”

Oldest police officer in Arkansas retires at 93

When asked what Buckshot made of the worldwide attention, Banks said, “Oh, who wouldn’t like it? He ate it up! He ate it up.”

Banks has lived in Camden since he was 11 years old and knew Buckshot well.

Robert Garner, who was also in the pawn shop Friday, said he hired Buckshot at the beginning of his career in law enforcement more than six decades ago, back when Garner was the sheriff.

According to Garner, Buckshot’s mind stayed sharp until the very end. It’s what gave him a long life and a long career protecting his beloved community.

“His servitude to the community… is lasting,” Garner said. “It’s his legacy.”

Buckshot is known as the police officer who took more people home than he took to jail. Those were his famous words that rang true throughout his career.

Camden police officer turns 90, becomes the oldest active police officer in Arkansas

The men KARK 4 News spoke to on Friday all said his life and legacy points to not only a smiling face and happy personality, but a caring heart and helping hands.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.

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Arkansas runaway youth numbers rising, what does that mean? | Make It Make Sense

Published

2 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Arkansas runaway youth numbers rising, what does that mean? | Make It Make Sense

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – This week, host Alex Kienlen sat down with reporter and KARK News Anchor Mattison Gafner to discuss her report on the surge of runaway youth in Arkansas.

Topics included not just the numbers but also causes, consequences, and what can be done.

If you, or someone you know, is dealing with running away, or considering it, help is available through the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-RUNAWAY or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

Make It Make Sense is a KARKFOX16+ exclusive show that airs weekly at 7 p.m. Monday on the free app. For more information on how to get the free app, head to KARK.com/Streaming.

Questions? Considerations? Reach out at MakeItMakeSense@Nexstar.TV.

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OPINION | ROBERT STEINBUCH: Intent matters | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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14 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Robert Steinbuch

Robert Steinbuch, the Arkansas Bar professor at the Bowen Law School, is a Fulbright Scholar and author of the treatise “The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.” His views do not necessarily reflect those of his employer.

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Arkansas

Arvest Bank warns customers about video call banking scams in Arkansas

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Arvest Bank warns customers about video call banking scams in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A new scam is popping up on screens, and banks say it’s catching people off guard.

Arvest Bank is warning customers about an increase in fraud involving unsolicited video calls that appear to be from financial institutions. The calls often begin with a text, email or phone call urging immediate action.

A spokesperson reported that scammers may claim there is suspicious activity or a technical problem, then push victims to join a video call through FaceTime or another platform, and once connected, they try to get customers to share their screen while logging in to accounts, entering passwords, or moving money.

“Scammers are always finding new ways to steal money, and that now includes video calls,” said Erin Gray, Arvest’s director of Integrated Account Protection.

Arvest urges customers to be cautious of urgent, unexpected requests, especially those asking to watch account activity in real time. The bank advises hanging up and calling back using a verified number, avoiding screen-sharing with strangers and checking accounts regularly for unusual activity.

Anyone who believes they’ve been targeted is encouraged to contact their bank and report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.

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