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

2 years 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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Countdown to the Crown: Miss Central Arkansas, Karie Miller, speaks about educational diversity

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2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

Countdown to the Crown: Miss Central Arkansas, Karie Miller, speaks about educational diversity

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Miss Central Arkansas, Karie Miller, is competing in the upcoming 2026 Miss Arkansas Pageant.

Miller highlighted her Community Service Initiative, Hands on Learning, in which she advocates for educational diversity.

Her talent will be a performing sign language interpretation of the song “Guns and Ships” from the Broadway Musical “Hamilton.” Miller is not only a manager at Barnes and Noble but also has a love for scary stories.

Miller will be part of the excitement at the Miss Arkansas Pageant on Saturday, June 13, airing on KARK.

For more information on the competition, visit MissArkansas.org.

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Vehicle crash reported near the University of Arkansas Agriculture Facility

Published

14 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

Vehicle crash reported near the University of Arkansas Agriculture Facility

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The University of Arkansas Police Department is responding to a vehicle collision near the intersection of Garland Avenue and Drake Street, close to the university’s agriculture facility.

Crews on scene report at least one person was taken to a hospital. There is no official word on their condition.

An SUV with heavy front-end damage was in a nearby ditch. A pickup truck was towed from the scene.

This is a developing story. We will update as we learn more.

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