Memorial Page

Fallen Officers of the Fort Smith Police Department

by Chaplain Ben Stephens

Six Fort Smith Police Officers are known to have given their lives in service to the citizens of Fort Smith—Detective Sam Booth, Captain William Bourland, Patrolman Ralph Howard, Patrolman Randy Basnett, Detective Ray Tate, and Patrolman Billy Simms. These pages contain a brief biographical sketch of each officer and an account of how each officer met his death. Of the six officers, five were killed by gunshots and one was struck by a car while assisting a stranded motorist. Preserving the memory of the sacrifices made by these six brave and dedicated Fort Smith Police Officers is important. Therefore, each page is dedicated as a lasting memorial tribute to the officers, and to the families they left behind to mourn their passing.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” --George Santayana

Newly Discovered Fallen Officer, Detective Patrick A. Carr has been added to our site.