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Incident
Trooper Charles Bassing, Investigator Kevin Brosch of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, and Detective James Avant of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Department were killed in a helicopter crash at 1 pm. The three officers were being trained by DEA agents as spotters for a marijuana eradication program. The aircraft was taking off from the Mt. Ida Municipal Airport when it experienced a mechanical failure and crashed into the ground. The helicopter, which had just been refueled, burst into flames. All three officers were burned to death as a result. Trooper Bassing had served with the Arkansas State Police for 9 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, son, and daughter.
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.
Trooper Bassing served with the Arkansas State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arkansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Bassing.
— 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.
Charles is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1986, 1 officer at Arkansas State Police was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1986, 4 officers in AR were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 1986, 82 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1986, 93 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 33. 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. Charles had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Charles was 33. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39. Charles had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 33. 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. Charles had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 33. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 13.3% of these deaths at Arkansas State Police; December holds the most, 26.7%. Thursdays: 20%.
July holds 13% of these deaths in AR, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
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, Charles 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 10-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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