Oldest police officer in Arkansas, L.C. “Buckshot” Smith, had signed his retirement papers this week, ending an almost 65-year career, Police 1 reports.
Smith said he worked for free at first when he started at the Camden Police Department.
Eventually, he went to the Ouachita County Sheriff’s Office, where he retired at age 81.
Smith was asked to come back by the Camden police chief few months later.
He said: “They said I had too much knowledge, history and understanding to let it die.”
Between patrols and escorting bus routes or funeral processions, Smith spent his last days in law enforcement mentoring younger officers.
However, a fall several weeks ago, brought back an old injury which caught up with Smith.
“I woke up. I couldn’t walk. That’s when I made the decision to retire,” the nonagenarian officer said.
Smith, who will be turning 94 in May, shared a secret on how to live a long, healthy life: “Eat a lot of vegetables and don’t eat too much fast food.”
