Above, from left: Col. Mike Hagar, Cpl. Christopher Barnett, Cpl. Marcus Simpson, and Cpl. Dustin Carpenter
Three Arkansas State Police troopers were jointly awarded the 2025 Arkansas State Trooper of the Year Award during the annual Arkansas Police Awards ceremony Wednesday at the Benton Event Center.
Cpl. Dustin Carpenter, Cpl. Christopher Barnett, and Cpl. Marcus Simpson were recognized for their bravery and quick thinking during a high-speed pursuit and standoff on U.S. Highway 67 in Jackson County on Oct. 11, 2024.
Troopers began pursuing Isaiah Cross, 50, of Blossom, Texas, after he allegedly drove aggressively toward a marked state police vehicle and reached speeds over 120 mph between Newport and Bradford.
After officers managed to stop Cross, he refused to exit the vehicle, claimed he had a weapon and threatened officers, according to police. Crisis negotiators worked to resolve the situation peacefully, but about 30 minutes later, Cross fled southbound in the northbound lanes, driving more than 100 mph for about 10 miles into oncoming traffic.
Troopers used deadly force to stop the vehicle, firing when there was a break in traffic. The suspect’s vehicle ran off the road into a ditch and caught fire. Two troopers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“It’s a special day for us because we get to recognize publicly what we all know privately — that troopers and their families serve this state with honor and integrity,” said Col. Mike Hagar, director of the Arkansas State Police.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin served as keynote speaker, introduced by Arkansas State Police Foundation President Elizabeth Anderson.
“If you’re not safe, you’re not free,” Griffin told the audience. “I know that each of you serve not for recognition, but from a deep sense of duty.”
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Others recognized in Wednesday’s ceremony:
ASP Employee of the Year
Senior Intel Analyst Lisa Roark
Trooper’s Cross Award
TFC Austin Duncan
Distinguished Meritorious Service Awards
Special Agent Jason Baethke
Special Agent Kevin Brown
Medal of Valor
Corporal Christopher Barnett
Corporal Dustin Carpenter
TFC Shane Caviness
Trooper J.D. Crow
TFC Montae Hernandez
Corporal Harlee Robinson
Corporal Marcus Simpson
Trooper Christian Underwood
Trooper Sean Weston
Lifesaving Awards
Corporal Moye Hawkins
Corporal Billy Martin
TFC Dairren Evans
Trooper Dylan Evans
Trooper Gunner Fultz
TFC Brady Nuckels
Corporal Bob Love
Corporal Michael Summitt
Trooper Clayton Bloch
Official Commendations
Telecom Specialist Cindy Ball-Dye
TFC Brandon Bird
Special Agent Christina Bussey
Telecom Specialist Samantha Downey
Special Agent Kristen Dumont
Telecom Supervisor Maegan Elkins
Trooper Hunter Grubbs
TFC Marshall Hill
SR Intelligence Analyst She miracle King
Trooper Blayn Lucas
Telecom Specialist Hannah Marshall
Sergeant Jason Martin
Special Agent Travis May
Trooper Zachary Means
Captain Randall Murphy
Special Agent Dalton Myers
Trooper Tucker Phelps
Telecom Specialist Ashley Rogers
TFC Matthew Walker
Distinguished Service Awards
Kylie Sutton
Kal Makan
Naziroddin Kazi
Blake Purnell
Special Agent Charles Cannon
Image provided by the Arkansas State Police
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