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

CAMDEN, Ark. – Officials with the Camden Police Department shared the news Thursday that former officer L.C. “Buckshot” Smith has passed away at 95.

In a post on Facebook, CPD officials said that Smith was more than just a colleague, but also a cherished figure in the community.

Oldest police officer in Arkansas retires at 93

“Buckshot was more than just a colleague, more than a retired police officer, he was a beloved member of our Camden Police Department family and a cherished figure in our community. His dedication, warmth, and unwavering commitment to service made a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him,” the post said.

Buckshot started at the Camden Police Department, and he said at first, he worked for free. Eventually, he transitioned to the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office where he retired at age 81, but that only lasted a few months when the Camden police chief asked for him to come back.

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Smith served the city for more than six decades before retiring as Arkansas’ oldest law enforcement officer in 2023 at the age of 93.

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