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91-Year-Old Arkansas Officer Is Still Patrolling the Streets & Won't Be Retiring Anytime Soon

Kareena Koirala
Mar 14, 2021
06:50 P.M.

A 91-year-old police officer in Arkansas, L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, is the oldest police officer in the state, but he has no plans to retire anytime soon. Here's his story.

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L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, 91, drives around Camden, Arkansas in an unmarked police car. Everyone knows him as the oldest police officer in the state.

Smith's move might be a little slower, but four days a week, he patrols his hometown to ensure everything is okay. He has been working at the Ouachita County Sheriff's Department for over four decades now.

L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

Smith believes a true police officer is more than just about the badge and the gun — respect for people is what makes them. Throughout his glorious career, he has taken more people home than he has taken to jail.

Smith loves what he does, but it's not like he has never taken a break from his duties. After serving for 46 years as a deputy, he retired, but it only lasted for five months.

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L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

During those five months, the officer did not know what to do. He did not have any fun because, according to him, he is not into activities like hunting or fishing.

Smith is the oldest police officer in his state, but he is not the oldest police officer in the world.

L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

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The boredom and lack of purpose left him to become a rookie Camden cop in his 80s. Mayor Julian Lott told CBS that Smith has a much more powerful weapon than the firearm he carries.

"He knows your mama and he knew your grandmother. So he has the authority to speak into our lives."

L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

L.C. "Buckshot" Smith, the oldest police officer in Texas, during an interview with CBS that aired on March 10, 2021. | Source: YouTube/CBSEveningNews

As for Smith's retirement plans, his department says he does not have any for now. Chief Boyd Woody told CBS the old man does not want to retire just yet.

"He does not want to retire. In his words, to me, he'll retire when the good Lord tells him to."

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Smith is the oldest police officer in his state, but he is not the oldest police officer in the world. In 2020, deputy Bill Hardin of Texas was dubbed the oldest working law enforcement officer in the world.

According to Hardin, the reason why he serves as a police officer is because he feels pretty good for an old guy. He said he is going to do this until the sheriff runs him out.

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