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Incident
Trooper Herbert Smith succumbed to injuries he received ten days earlier while responding to the scene of a medical emergency involving an infant.
Trooper Smith was traveling approximately 80 mph on Arkansas 365 near Wrightsville, Arkansas when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to flip over. Trooper Smith had been in a coma since the incident before passing away.
Survivors
Trooper Smith had served with the Arkansas State Police for three years and is survived by his wife and young daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Trooper Smith gave the Arkansas State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arkansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Smith.
— 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.
Herbert is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Herbert is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Herbert 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 2001, 1 officer at Arkansas State Police was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2001, 1 officer in AR was lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Herbert was 35. 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. Herbert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Herbert was 35. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Herbert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herbert was 35. 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. Herbert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herbert was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Herbert had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Arkansas State Police; December holds the most, 26.7%. Wednesdays: 13.3%.
February holds 6.5% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Wednesdays: 10.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
February holds 7.2% 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, Herbert 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 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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