AFRICA | 91-year-old, LC “Buckshot” Smith, a police officer in the United States has been honored for his remarkable 56 years of service in law enforcement.
Despite his age, Smith remains active in duty and insists he will only retire when “the good Lord says so.”
Smith began his career with the Camden Police Department in Arkansas in 1958 and spent most of his years as a sheriff’s deputy. Though he initially retired, he quickly returned to the force after realizing he missed the excitement of the job.
In an interview with CNN, Smith revealed that his passion for law enforcement has kept him going for more than five decades.
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Smith’s training superior, Texann Shadden, praised his dedication, recalling how Smith once walked all the way to the office through heavy snow when he could not get his vehicle out.
Throughout his career, Smith has served as a court bailiff, neighborhood watchman, and a key figure in Camden’s annual festival. His vast experience is considered invaluable to the police force according to his supervisor.
Reflecting on the changes in law enforcement over the years, Smith noted that hiring processes were much different in the past.
“A long time ago you didn’t have to go to school. You would just put on a badge and if the man liked, you he’d hang a gun on you. I worked 30 years with an officer who never wrote a ticket. I had to do all his writing for him,” he recalled.
With his over five decades run in the force, Smith believes that good policing goes beyond the badge and uniform.
“I treat people like I want to be treated, y’know? If all law enforcement would do that, we’d have better community, city and state if all police officers would treat people like they wanted to be treated,” Smith said.
”This gun and this badge don’t make a police officer. You got to want to do it and you got have it in your heart and be fair with everybody. You can’t treat everybody the same, but you can treat everybody right,” he added.
Outside of his work, Smith remains deeply connected to his community. He regularly attends church services and enjoys spending quality time with his longtime female friend.
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