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Incident
Patrolman Randy Basnett was shot and killed when he confronted a double-murder suspect. Patrolman Basnett was in the parking lot of a service station when the suspect pulled into the parking lot as well. He had recognized the suspect's car from a bulletin provided to the police department earlier in the day. When Patrolman Basnett asked for identification the suspect reached inside of his vehicle, produced a .25 caliber handgun, and shot Patrolman Basnett in the chest. Patrolman Basnett returned fire at the fleeing suspect. Two shots struck the suspect and four shots struck the suspect's car. The shooting occurred across the street from an Arkansas State Police barracks. Several troopers who heard the shots pursued the suspect and assisted other Fort Smith officers in arresting the suspect a short distance away. The suspect was sentenced to death and executed on June 18, 1990. Patrolman Basnett had served with the Fort Smith Police Department for 4-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, stepdaughter, stepson, parents, sister and brother. He daughter was born shortly after his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, stepdaughter, stepson, parents, sister and brother.
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.
Patrolman Basnett gave the Fort Smith Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Smith community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Basnett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fort Smith Police Department has lost 12 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Randy is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Randy is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Randy 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 1976, 1 officer at Fort Smith Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 3.
In 1976, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Randy was 30. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Fort Smith Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32.5 and 48.8; the middle age was 37.5. Randy had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Randy was 30. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Randy had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Randy was 30. 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. Randy had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Randy was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Randy had served 4.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 37.5% of these deaths at Fort Smith Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 37.5%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Fridays: 13.3%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Fort Smith Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Fort Smith Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Randy 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
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
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.
