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Incident
Sergeant Brandon Paudert and Police Officer Bill Evans 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.
Sergeant Paudert had served with the West Memphis Police Department for seven years and was assigned to the Drug Interdiction Unit.
Survivors
He is the son of the West Memphis Chief of Police and is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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.
Sergeant Paudert gave the West Memphis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Paudert.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
West Memphis Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 39. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Robert was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 6.8% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Thursdays: 18.1%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at West Memphis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
West Memphis Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from West Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
