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Incident
Wildlife Officer Joel Campora and Sheriff Cody Carpenter of the Scott County Sheriff's Office drowned while assisting victims of an overnight flash flood along the Fourche Lefave River near Y City, Arkansas.
They had responded by boat to a 911 call at a home in the flooded area along the river. They both exited the boat and entered the home to assist two female victims who were trapped inside. At some point, the officers, victims, and boat were swept away by the rising water. Sheriff Carpenter's body was located the following morning, while Officer Campora's body was recovered three days later, one mile downstream.
Officer Campora had served with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for five years and previously served with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Mena Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, father, sister, grandmother, three nephews, and a niece.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnt0vq3fa73xms1919ys- 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.
Wildlife Officer Campora gave the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Officer Campora.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has lost 8 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Joel is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Joel is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joel is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2013, 3 officers in AR were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 2013, 56 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2013, 64 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 85th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joel was 32. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Joel had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 32. 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. Joel had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joel was 32. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joel had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.8% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Fridays: 14.1%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 8 deaths at Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has 8 officers remembered here, Joel among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Arkansas Game & Fish Commission are honored on badge.nw.
