Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Brandon Paudert and Police Officer Bill Evans were shot and killed during a vehicle stop by suspects who were members of the Sovereign Citizens extremist group.
Officer Evans stopped the vehicle on I-40 near Airport Road for a traffic violation. Sergeant Paudert arrived shortly after to provide back-up on the stop. During the stop, the officers had the vehicle's occupants exit the vehicle. A struggle with one suspect ensued, followed by an exchange of gunfire. Both suspects were armed with AK-47's. Officer Evans and Sergeant Paudert were both killed in an exchange of gunfire with the men.
The suspects fled and were later located in a nearby Walmart parking lot. One suspect was shot and killed in an exchange of gunfire with a State Wildlife officer. The second suspect was shot and killed in a shootout with members of the West Memphis Police Department, the Arkansas State Police, and the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office. The county sheriff and the chief of patrol were seriously wounded in that exchange.
Sergeant Paudert had served with the West Memphis Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the Drug Interdiction Unit.
Survivors
He is the son of the West Memphis Chief of Police and is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-7902E809- 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.
Sergeant Paudert gave the West Memphis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Paudert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Robert Brandon Paudert is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 66.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At West Memphis Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Brandon Paudert's cause is highlighted.
How Robert Brandon Paudert Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Brandon Paudert is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert Brandon Paudert was killed by rifle; ak-47.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from West Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
