State’s senators honor slain Stone County sheriff’s deputy

WASHINGTON — Arkansas’ U.S. senators on Wednesday honored a Stone County sheriff’s deputy who died by gunfire earlier this month in the line of duty.

Republican Sens. John Boozman of Rogers and Tom Cotton of Little Rock spoke on the Senate floor about

Deputy Justin Smith and his impact as a law enforcement officer.

Smith, 60, died Jan. 2 after being shot while trying to serve a warrant for a misdemeanor terroristic threatening charge at a home near Mountain View.

Clinton Hefton, 52, was arrested on a capital murder charge related to Smith’s death.

“With his passing, Arkansas has lost a selfless public servant who reflected the very best of our state,” Cotton said of Smith.

Boozman and Cotton referenced Smith’s law enforcement experience in their remarks, including Smith’s 14 years with the Stone County sheriff’s office.

“Time and again, he went above the call of duty,” Cotton said. “Stone County Sheriff Brandon Long said of Deputy Smith, ‘There was never a time he was called to come in that he didn’t show up.’”

Boozman said Smith loved his job and “working for the good of his family, friends and neighbors.”

“It takes a special person to wear a law enforcement officer’s uniform,” the senator from Rogers added. “For Deputy Smith, being part of this select group of individuals called to serve and protect was a dream come true.”

Boozman said Smith’s death serves as a “tragic reminder” of the everyday risks of law enforcement work.

“It prompts us to ensure we will always offer the gratitude and respect [police officers] so richly deserve in exchange for the tremendous sacrifices that they make,” he said.

Services for Smith took place Jan. 6 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park auditorium in Mountain View.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, state Attorney General Tim Griffin and Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge were among the hundreds of people who attended the funeral, which was simulcast because of the large number of attendees.

Sanders on Jan. 4 ordered that the United States flag and the Arkansas state flag be flown at half-staff from sunset Jan. 4 to sunset Jan. 6.

According to the governor’s proclamation, Smith left behind his wife, Lori, as well as family, friends and colleagues around Stone County and Arkansas. His children include an Army veteran, a current airman in the Air Force and an Independence County sheriff’s deputy.