June 21, 2023

Arkansas State Police Colonel Mike Hagar introduced keynote speaker Bill Buford, retired ASP Bomb Squad Commander and former ATF Agent in Charge, at the 2023 Arkansas State Police Awards Ceremony today.

“In the 25 years I was Agent in Charge here … I never had State Police turn me down once,” Buford said. “It always felt so good when we rolled up on the scene and saw a State Police car. I would think, ‘Thank God the big hats are here.’ “

Buford was the resident Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Little Rock office when he was seriously injured during the February 1993 standoff at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas. 

During today’s ceremony, hosted by the Arkansas State Police Foundation, Lt. Philip L. Hydron Jr. was named Arkansas State Police Trooper of the Year for 2022.  Lt. Hydron is Assistant Commander of Troop D and a member of ASP SWAT.

Lt. Hydron was seriously injured on Dec. 15, 2022, while ASP SWAT attempted to arrest a homicide suspect who had barricaded himself with a hostage inside a Stuttgart residence. Stuttgart Police Sgt. Donald Scoby was killed in the incident. During the gun battle, the suspect shot Lt. Hydron in the left forearm.

Jeff Taylor, Digital Evidence Lab Manager for Arkansas State Police, was awarded the Arkansas State Police Civilian Employee of the Year. Mr. Taylor is responsible for overseeing 90% of the electronic evidence processed by ASP.  Mr. Taylor’s work has impacted dozens of arrests and successful prosecutions during the past year.

Others recognized:

Official Commendations
Trooper Isaac Lawson
TFC Shawn Ellis
Corporal Mark Morton
Trooper Jeb Little
Corporal Joshua Berry
Trooper Shane Caviness

Lifesaving Awards
Corporal Josh Porter
TFC Jimmy Plyler Jr.
Sgt. Andrew Ault
Trooper Cody Brown
TFC Spencer Morris
Sgt. Steven Roberts
Trooper James Byrd
Corporal Herbert Glen Bates
Corporal Todd Harris
Trooper Adrienne Belcher
Trooper Austin Duncan
Trooper Matthew Foreman
Trooper Michael Austin Kennedy

Distinguished Service Awards
Jason Eugene Starke
Christopher Kleist
Jerod L. Harness
Otto Edward Collins
Marshall Sexson

Medal of Valor
Corporal Anthony Maggitt
Corporal Logan Hall
Sgt. Brandon Bennett
Sgt. Shawn Mason
Corporal Justin Harmon
Corporal Dakotah Bailey
TFC Remington Lively
Corporal Shane Alkire
Capt. Jeff Sheeler
Lt. Philip Hydron
Capt. Craig Teague
Lt. Brandon Margis
Sgt. Brandon Bennett
SA Aaron Middleton
Corporal Justin Harmon
Corporal Joseph Gilliland
TFC Jackson Dorman
TFC Remington Lively

Troopers’ Cross
TFC John Bass

Gold Shield
Lt. Philip Hydron