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Incident
Corporal Johnny Scarberough was killed when his cruiser was struck by a tractor-trailer while he was sitting in it on the shoulder of I-30 near Benton, Arkansas. He had stopped a vehicle and was waiting for backup to arrive so they could perform a drug search when his cruiser was struck. The driver of the vehicle he had pulled over was sitting in the passenger seat of the cruiser when the accident occurred but was only injured. The driver of the semi was found not guilty of manslaughter and negligent homicide. Corporal Scarberough had served with the Arkansas State Police for 22 years and had been involved with many of the state's largest drug seizures.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Corporal Scarberough gave the Arkansas State Police 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arkansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Scarberough.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Arkansas State Police has lost 23 officers; 15 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1998, 1 officer at Arkansas State Police was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 7 officers in AR were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1998, 84 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 21st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1998, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 52. Of the 14 lost to accidents at Arkansas State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 35.3 and 50.5; the middle age was 38.5. John had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 52. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. John had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 52. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 52. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Arkansas State Police; December holds the most, 26.7%. Wednesdays: 13.3%.
September holds 6.5% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Wednesdays: 10.9%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 65.2% of all 23 deaths at Arkansas State Police, the 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 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Arkansas State Police has 23 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Algin Sidney Pavatt
Sep 25, 1948
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Ermon Boyce Cox
Aug 17, 1958
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Elmer Glen Bradshaw Dec 11, 1965
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Harry F. Locke
Sep 24, 1966
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Allen Harvie Bufford
Jul 27, 1969
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William Ronnie Brooks, III
Feb 27, 1975
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Kelly Ray Pigue
Dec 8, 1977
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Frederick Glen Bailey
Sep 5, 1980
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William L. Rose, Jr.
Dec 28, 1982
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Louis Perry Bryant
Jun 30, 1984
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Robert Whittington Klein
Oct 15, 1984
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Phillip Gene Ostermann
Aug 10, 1985
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Charles Michael Bassing
Jul 24, 1986
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Wilson A. Atkins, Jr.
Jul 3, 1988
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Clark Kent Simpson
Feb 18, 1989
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John Mack Scarberough
Sep 2, 1998
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Thomas Allen Craig
Dec 14, 2000
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Herbert James Smith
Feb 14, 2001
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Jimmie Harold White, II
Jun 1, 2002
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Mark Wesley Carthron
Sep 12, 2005
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Richard C. LeBow
Feb 4, 2008
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Jeff D. Hust
May 2, 2017
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Michael R. Springer
Feb 11, 2022
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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