Incident
Patrolman Thomas Hairston suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after being involved in a shooting of a suspect.
He and his partner were on patrol when they heard shots fired nearby. As they went to investigate, they observed a man walking in the roadway with a rifle. The man continued walking towards them even after being ordered to stop. Patrolman Hairston opened fire on the suspect, striking him in the chest.
After shooting the man, Patrolman Hairston ran two blocks to a nearby factory and called for an ambulance. He then ran back to the scene where he collapsed. He died while being transported to the hospital.
Patrolman Hairston had served with the Fort Smith Police Department for 7 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrolman Hairston gave the Fort Smith Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Smith community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hairston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Fort Smith Police Department has lost 12 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Thomas is one of 13 officers lost to cardiac events in AR, 3.5% of the 372 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 1 officer in AR was lost to cardiac events, the 2nd heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 2013, with 2.
In 1936, 9 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 68th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1936, 9 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 69th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Thomas was 62. Of the 12 lost to cardiac events in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 46.5 and 62.8; the middle age was 58. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 62. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Thomas was 62. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Thomas had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 7.7% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 30.8%. Sundays: 15.4%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 8.3% of all 12 deaths at Fort Smith Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.5% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Fort Smith Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Michael Baer May 26, 1869
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Ernest Augustus Anthony May 13, 1904
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Patrick Andrew Carr
Apr 1, 1912
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Sam Booth
Mar 21, 1931
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William A. Bourland
Sep 2, 1931
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Ralph Howard
Sep 4, 1931
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Thomas I. Hairston
Sep 27, 1936
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Randy Monroe Basnett
Sep 24, 1976
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William Ray Tate
Jan 5, 1981
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Billy Wayne Simms
Apr 18, 1986
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Daniel C. Martinez
Mar 23, 2007
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Rick Entmeier
Jun 18, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Fort Smith Police Department are honored on badge.nw.








