• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Subscribe
American Police Beat

American Police Beat Magazine

Law Enforcement Publication

  • Home
  • Editor’s Picks
    • Improve your pistol-handling skills
      What you need to know about automatic license plate readers
      Do cops need more training?
      Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner
      Seeking the right kind of help
  • Topics
    • On the Job
      • Heroic K-9 unit honored at National Dog Show for role in capturing...
        NYPD reports surge in hate crimes against New York’s Jewish...
        Law enforcement cracks down on illegal sale of “gas station...
        “He went above and beyond” Port Authority K-9 sergeant honored
        Officer–K-9 duo makes remarkable drug capture
    • Labor
      • “You can’t play politics with public safety”
        “It’s going to be extremely painful for New Yorkers”
        California Highway Patrol officers set to receive significant salary...
        Seattle City Council approves new agreement with police union
        Massachusetts State Police intense training academy faces...
    • Tech
      • NYPD explores cutting-edge drone detection vehicle to enhance city...
        The use of military assets by U.S. police
        What you need to know about automatic license plate readers
        Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner
        North Carolina schools, businesses to beef up active shooter security...
    • Training
      • Ballistic shields in patrol operations
        Four things you need to know to control escalation
        Series of fires in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s mobile shooting...
        Using learning factors to influence your performance
        Lancaster Police Department introduces agility course in recruitment...
    • Policy
      • Supreme Court rejects Derek Chauvin’s appeal in George Floyd killing
        Ohio lawmaker proposes legislation to allocate marijuana sales tax...
        All courage is not physical
        Minneapolis City Council approves new location
        Oregon cities and law enforcement push for recriminalization of drug...
    • Health/Wellness
      • Harnessing our strength: Post-traumatic growth
        Scientifically proven ways for cops to thrive
        The depression–anger cycle
        What does it mean to be a sheepdog?
        Depression screening
    • Community
      • Off-duty first responders save friend’s life after he experiences...
        New Jersey departments unite for No Shave November
        The nobility of serving
        “The smile is a universal language”
        THC-infused candy incident raises safety concerns in California city
    • Offbeat
      • Jewelry store heist ends in high-speed chase and mystifying response...
        Massachusetts community steps in to protect black bear “Pumpkin”...
        Florida moms call cops on school librarians for distributing...
        Authorities seize whopping $8.5 million worth of psychedelic...
        12-year-old car thief takes SUV on wild joyride across NYC
    • We Remember
      • Birmingham community mourns passing of its first Black police...
        “For those who suffered in silence and were lost”
        “You’re my hero”
        Manhattan Beach police officer and Las Vegas shooting survivor...
        Headstone finally marks grave of Pennsylvania officer who gave his...
  • On the Job
    • Heroic K-9 unit honored at National Dog Show for role in capturing...
      NYPD reports surge in hate crimes against New York’s Jewish...
      Law enforcement cracks down on illegal sale of “gas station...
      “He went above and beyond” Port Authority K-9 sergeant honored
      Officer–K-9 duo makes remarkable drug capture
  • Labor
    • “You can’t play politics with public safety”
      “It’s going to be extremely painful for New Yorkers”
      California Highway Patrol officers set to receive significant salary...
      Seattle City Council approves new agreement with police union
      Massachusetts State Police intense training academy faces...
  • Tech
    • NYPD explores cutting-edge drone detection vehicle to enhance city...
      The use of military assets by U.S. police
      What you need to know about automatic license plate readers
      Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner
      North Carolina schools, businesses to beef up active shooter security...
  • Training
    • Ballistic shields in patrol operations
      Four things you need to know to control escalation
      Series of fires in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s mobile shooting...
      Using learning factors to influence your performance
      Lancaster Police Department introduces agility course in recruitment...
  • Policy
    • Supreme Court rejects Derek Chauvin’s appeal in George Floyd killing
      Ohio lawmaker proposes legislation to allocate marijuana sales tax...
      All courage is not physical
      Minneapolis City Council approves new location
      Oregon cities and law enforcement push for recriminalization of drug...
  • Health/Wellness
    • Harnessing our strength: Post-traumatic growth
      Scientifically proven ways for cops to thrive
      The depression–anger cycle
      What does it mean to be a sheepdog?
      Depression screening
  • Community
    • Off-duty first responders save friend’s life after he experiences...
      New Jersey departments unite for No Shave November
      The nobility of serving
      “The smile is a universal language”
      THC-infused candy incident raises safety concerns in California city
  • Offbeat
    • Jewelry store heist ends in high-speed chase and mystifying response...
      Massachusetts community steps in to protect black bear “Pumpkin”...
      Florida moms call cops on school librarians for distributing...
      Authorities seize whopping $8.5 million worth of psychedelic...
      12-year-old car thief takes SUV on wild joyride across NYC
  • We Remember
    • Birmingham community mourns passing of its first Black police...
      “For those who suffered in silence and were lost”
      “You’re my hero”
      Manhattan Beach police officer and Las Vegas shooting survivor...
      Headstone finally marks grave of Pennsylvania officer who gave his...
  • Between the Lines
    • Debunking the perpetual narrative of racial bias in policing
      The unspoken truth behind the recruitment and retention crisis
      The police reform goal: use of force without options
      The imprisonment of law enforcement technology
      Persecution of the LEO is classic schadenfreude
  • About
  • The Magazine
  • Events
  • Partners
  • Products
  • Advertise
  • Contact
Search

Community

93-year-old Arkansas police officer hangs up the badge after lifetime of community service

APB Team Published May 4, 2023 @ 9:30 am PDT

Dreamstime.com/Theaphotography

A 93-year-old police officer from Camden, Arkansas, known as the oldest officer in the state, is retiring after almost 65 years of serving in law enforcement.

L.C. “Buckshot” Smith has worked a variety of jobs in his lifetime, including furniture sales, at a funeral home and at a service station.

But he found his passion for helping people at 30 years old and decided to become a police officer.

Asked why he made the transition to police work, Buckshot said “helping people. I saw a lot of things in my lifetime. I wanted to be a policeman.”

Buckshot began his long career with the Camden Police Department and eventually moved to the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, where he retired at the age of 81.

However, he was asked to come back by the Camden police chief due to his vast knowledge, history and understanding of the community.

“They said I had too much knowledge, history and understanding to let it die,” Buckshot said.

Police Chief Boyd M. Woody, a man Buckshot first hired when he was a jail administrator decades ago, was the one to call him back.

Buckshot took on the department’s new position of neighborhood watch coordinator, where he could use his expertise to serve the community.

“Just roll around and talk to people. Make friends. I see a person out in their yard and I stop and talk to them. That’s what all police ought to do,” Buckshot expressed.

The veteran officer spent his final days on the job mentoring younger officers, and plans to spend his retirement fishing and hunting.

When asked by Camden Police Officer Johnathon Cooper why Buckshot decided to keep working after all that time, the veteran replied “I love it.”

As for his keys to longevity, Buckshot gave a few pointers: Eat a lot of vegetables and avoid eating too much fast food.

On the last full day of his career, Buckshot wanted to show the town and the people he’s protected for generations. He took reporters to Woods Place, a packed restaurant where many people congratulated him on his retirement.

“He loves people. He’s a great asset to the city of Camden,” Mayor Charlotte Young said.

Don Banks, a friend of Buckshot’s for a long time, said “I know for a fact Buckshot has taken more people home than he’s taken to jail.”

Buckshot always said he wouldn’t retire until the good lord took him or told him to retire. However, a few weeks ago, after a fall and an injury to his leg and hip a couple of years ago, he woke up and couldn’t walk. That’s when he made the decision to retire.

But Buckshot said he will miss police work.

“I helped a lot of people,” Buckshot said. “That means a lot. You’ve got to know the people.”

Categories: Community Tags: celebration, retirement, veteran, 93-year-old police officer, Camden Police Department, Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, L.C. Buckshot Smith, Arkansas, community service

Primary Sidebar

Recent Articles

  • “You can’t play politics with public safety”
  • “It’s going to be extremely painful for New Yorkers”
  • Off-duty first responders save friend’s life after he experiences cardiac emergency in Massachusetts jiu-jitsu class
  • California Highway Patrol officers set to receive significant salary increase for second straight year
  • Supreme Court rejects Derek Chauvin’s appeal in George Floyd killing
  • Seattle City Council approves new agreement with police union
  • Ohio lawmaker proposes legislation to allocate marijuana sales tax revenue for law enforcement training
  • New Jersey departments unite for No Shave November
  • Heroic K-9 unit honored at National Dog Show for role in capturing prison escapee
  • Harnessing our strength: Post-traumatic growth

Footer

Our Mission
To serve as a trusted voice of the nation’s law enforcement community, providing informative, entertaining and inspiring content on interesting and engaging topics affecting peace officers today.

Contact us: info@apbweb.com | (800) 234-0056.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Categories

  • Editor’s Picks
  • On the Job
  • Labor
  • Tech
  • Training
  • Policy
  • Health/Wellness
  • Community
  • Offbeat
  • We Remember
  • Jobs and Careers
  • Events

Editor’s Picks

Improve your pistol-handling skills

Improve your pistol-handling skills

October 21, 2023

What you need to know about automatic license plate readers

What you need to know about automatic license plate readers

October 20, 2023

Do cops need <em>more</em> training?

Do cops need more training?

October 17, 2023

Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner

Why every agency needs a polygraph examiner

October 16, 2023

Privacy Policy | Your Privacy Options | Notice at Collection | Copyright © 2023 APB Media, LLC | Website design, development and maintenance by 911MEDIA

Open

Subscribe

Close

Receive the latest news and updates from American Police Beat directly to your inbox!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.