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Incident
Reserve Sergeant Billy Baruday and Captain Floyd Riley were killed when their Hughes TH-55 Osage two-seat helicopter crashed in a wooded area near Traskwood in Saline County. They were assisting other deputies in the pursuit of several juvenile burglary suspects who had previously escaped custody.
Survivors
Reserve Sergeant Baruday is survived by his wife, daughter, and stepson.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Baruday served with the Garland County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hot Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Baruday.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Garland County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Billy is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Billy is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Billy 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 1991, 2 officers in AR were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 1991, 52 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 90th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1991, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Billy was 41. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39.
Billy was 41. 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.
Billy was 41. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
April holds 8.7% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Tuesdays: 13%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Garland County Sheriff's Office, 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
Garland County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Billy among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Garland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
