Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas
End of Watch Thursday, July 24, 1986
Add to My HeroesJames Addison Avant
Detective Jimmy Avant, Investigator Kevin Brosch of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, and Trooper Charles Bassing of the Arkansas State Police were killed in a helicopter crash at 1 pm.
The three officers were being trained by DEA agents as spotters for a marijuana eradication program. The aircraft was taking off from the Mt. Ida Municipal Airport when it experienced a mechanical failure and crashed into the ground. The helicopter, which had just been refueled, burst into flames. All three officers were burned to death as a result.
Detective Avant had been employed with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office for one year. He is survived by his wife and three children.
Bio
- Age 37
- Tour 1 year
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Aircraft accident
Most Recent Reflection
View all 11 ReflectionsThank you for your service and today we take the time to remind you and your family that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your LE brethren. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 24, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Timothy Jones
Park Forest Police Department, IL
EOW: December 3, 2025
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard, WV
EOW: November 27, 2025
Reserve Deputy Sheriff John C. Stahl, III
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: June 8, 2025
Sergeant Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow
Indian River County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2025
Police Officer Alec Sanders
Alhambra Police Department, CA
EOW: November 20, 2025
Corrections Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall
Virginia Department of Corrections, VA
EOW: November 17, 2025
Police Officer Marc Brock
Vivian Police Department, LA
EOW: November 14, 2025
Corporal Blake Adair Reynolds
Delaware County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: November 12, 2025
Police Officer Roger Smith
WakeMed Campus Police & Public Safety Department, NC
EOW: November 8, 2025

