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Sergeant Rick Entmeier died from complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Sergeant Entmeier was a United States Army veteran. He has served with the Fort Smith Police Department for 20 years and had previously served two years with the Shady Point Police Department and eight years with the Leflore County Sheriff's Office.
COVID-19 and Law Enforcement
Sergeant Rick Entmeier died on June 18, 2021 of COVID-19 contracted in the line of duty. He was 51.
He is one of 885 officers honored here.
Beginning in early 2020, law enforcement officers across the country contracted COVID-19 in the course of their duties. While much of the nation sheltered at home, they kept answering calls, making arrests, transporting prisoners, and working face to face with the public. There was no distance to be had from the job.
Corrections officers were hit hardest. Confined facilities and large populations meant constant, close, unavoidable exposure.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two sons, two grandchildren, sister, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rick. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw, salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 3 gates. Rick is one person.
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Tributes
The country locked its doors. You kept working.
Sergeant Entmeier gave the Fort Smith Police Department 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Smith community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Entmeier.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Rick Entmeier served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Illness
Fort Smith Police Department has lost 12 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
Rick is one of 17 officers lost to illness in AR, 4.6% of the 372 remembered there.
Rick is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Rick is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2021, 11 officers in AR were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 564 officers in the United States were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2021, 566 officers worldwide were lost to illness, more than in any other year.
Who
Rick was 51. Of the 17 lost to illness in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 59; the middle age was 51. Rick had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Rick was 51. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Rick had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Rick was 51. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Rick had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
June holds 5.9% of these deaths in AR; December holds the most, 23.5%. Fridays: 11.8%.
June holds 4.9% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Fridays: 14.8%.
June holds 6.1% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Fridays: 14.9%.
How
Illness deaths account for 8.3% of all 12 deaths at Fort Smith Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 4.6% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause.
His people
Fort Smith Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Rick among them.
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Michael Baer May 26, 1869
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Ernest Augustus Anthony May 13, 1904
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Patrick Andrew Carr
Apr 1, 1912
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Sam Booth
Mar 21, 1931
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William A. Bourland
Sep 2, 1931
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Ralph Howard
Sep 4, 1931
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Thomas I. Hairston
Sep 27, 1936
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Randy Monroe Basnett
Sep 24, 1976
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William Ray Tate
Jan 5, 1981
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Billy Wayne Simms
Apr 18, 1986
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Daniel C. Martinez
Mar 23, 2007
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Rick Entmeier
Jun 18, 2021
Where
Military Service
Rick Entmeier served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Rick Entmeier’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Fort Smith Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
