Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolmen Steven Poetker and Sonny Allen were killed when their vehicle was struck by a train at an unguarded crossing near Waldo. The two were returning from the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy in East Camden, Arkansas. They had just joined their department chief in a chase when the accident occurred. Patrolman Poetker had graduated from the academy at 1:00 pm, and the accident occurred shortly after 2:00 pm. The department only had three officers at the time of their deaths.
Survivors
Patrolman Poetker was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-1B599410- 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 Poetker served with the Waldo Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Waldo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Poetker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Steven Albert Poetker served in the the United States military (1972â1976) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Steven Albert Poetker is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In AR, 92 of 372 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 24.7% of this state's fallen. That is 24.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Waldo Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steven Albert Poetker's cause is highlighted.
How Steven Albert Poetker Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Steven Albert Poetker is highlighted in Apr.
Incident Location
Military Service
Steven Albert Poetker served in the United States military (1972–1976) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Steven Albert Poetker’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Waldo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
