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
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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
Patrolman Steven Albert Poetker is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 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 6.3 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
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
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Waldo Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
