CAMDEN, Ark. — Longtime Arkansas police officer L.C. Smith, whose friends called him "Buckshot," died at 95 on Thursday.
Buckshot was Arkansas's oldest working police officer when he retired in 2023 after a 65-year career.
After nearly five decades of working for the Ouachita County Sheriff's Office, Buckshot joined the Camden Police Department, where he finished his career.
"Buckshot was more than just a colleague, more than a retired police officer, he was a beloved member of our Camden Police Family and a cherished figure in our community," the Camden Police Department said on Facebook. "His dedication, warmth, and unwavering commitment to service made a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of knowing him."
Arkansas Officer Tommy Norman met Buckshot in 2021 and said it was one of the biggest honors of his life.
"I learned from Buckshot that the way you treat people in uniform and out of uniform, the way you respect people — whether they are a drug dealer or convicts, you don't judge people," Norman said in a 2021 interview. "You love everyone equally and at the end of the day, that makes your job easier as a police officer and leaves a lasting impact."
When Norman learned that Buckshot had died, he posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, and said Arkansas had lost a legend.
"This one hurts!!" Norman said. "The state of Arkansas lost a legend! Rest in peace, my brother! Prayers for Buckshot's family, friends and the community of Camden!"
Buckshot worked for the Camden Police Department for nearly 12 years and was the department's community watch coordinator. Despite being in his 90s, the beloved police veteran worked an eight-hour shift four days a week, patrolling school zones in the morning and escorting funerals.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Buckshot attended many community meetings.