A memorial ceremony was held Wednesday (June 5) for Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter who died last week during a swift water rescue attempt.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state and many from the community gathered at the Waldron High School Football Field to mourn the loss. The ceremony began at 1 p.m.
"Law enforcement in general has a bond," said Ronny Baldwin, president of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association. "But the sheriffs have a brotherhood so to speak and it's just we lost one of our own. A major part of our own and it's just really tough."
The 41-year-old sheriff leaves behind a wife and four children.
Carpenter was set to be the next president of the Arkansas Sheriff's Association. He was selected by his peers.
"He was a great guy," said Bill Gilkey, Yell County Sheriff. "He took his oath as sheriff seriously. He represented his people well. He was always concerned about the people of Scott County. He was just the definition of a sheriff."
Carpenter died along with Arkansas Game & Fish Officer Joel Campora May 31 while attempting to rescue two women from rising flood waters. The bodies of the two women, Vivian Reimer and Regina “Kay” Shearn, were recovered over the weekend.
"It's very tough. Everyone's still in shock," said Franklin County Sheriff Anthony Boen. "And you know it was just such a tragic accident. It's very tough on everyone."
A funeral service for 32-year-old Campora will be held at the same football field at 1p.m. Friday (June 7).
