Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Bill Evans and Sergeant Brandon Paudert 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.
Officer Evans had served with the West Memphis Police Department for nine years and was a member of the Drug Interdiction Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-A58771D3- 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.
Police Officer Evans gave the West Memphis Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Evans.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Thomas William Evans 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. Thomas William Evans's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas William Evans Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas William Evans is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas William Evans 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.
