Incident
Patrolman Ernest Anthony was struck and killed by a train while patrolling the local rail yard.
Several trains were switching tracks at the time which resulted in Patrolman Anthony not hearing the oncoming train that struck him.
Patrolman Anthony had served with the Fort Smith Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-WCGF-6TB1-Wearlier record number BO-US-AR-BDE9980C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Anthony gave the Fort Smith Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Smith community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Anthony.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Fort Smith Police Department has lost 12 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Ernest is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 8,274 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 10,099 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1904, 1 officer in AR was lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 1904, 28 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 116th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1904, 33 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 118th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ernest was 50. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Ernest had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 50. Of the 7,715 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ernest was 50. Of the 9,448 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ernest had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.8% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Fridays: 14.1%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 16.7% of all 12 deaths at Fort Smith Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Fort Smith Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Ernest 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Fort Smith Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









