Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Just drove by the memorial on the highway. Thank you for your sacrifice

Spouse of a NJ retired Lt police officer
Spouse of a retired officer. Mother of a NJ police officer

August 16, 2024

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten. Rest In Peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 3, 2020

Wilson Atkins was my friend, and a fine husband and father. He was proud to be a member of the Arkansas State Police, and he served the people of the State of Arkansas with Dignity and Honor. Thirty years have passed since his passing, and he is greatly missed. We had spent the day at the firing range shortly before his passing. We passed the time as friends often do. Wilson was a person of conviction and faith, with great love for his family. I miss him ...

Sr. Corporal John E. West, Retired
Arkansas State Police

July 9, 2018

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

July 4, 2018

I am so grateful for your service and dedication to the citizens of Arkansas. May god bless you and your family always.

Kathy Finnegan
CACD ASP

July 3, 2018

You are never forgotten. Thank you protecting the communities of Arkansas. God bless you, your family and fellow Troopers.

Special Agent-in-Charge Diane Upchurch
FBI - Little Rock

July 4, 2017

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

This was a sad day I was given the task to investigate his incident. It was a hot day with a lot of holiday traffic. I will never forget and always remember Wilson and the good man that he was.

Sr. Cpl Terry Taylor
Arkansas state police

July 3, 2015

I investigated Wilsons accident and worked with him. That was a sad day in my career. He exemplified honestly, and integrity. He was a friend and great man.

Sr. Cpl Terry Taylor
Arkansas state police

July 3, 2015

Worked with Wilson many times with BPD and MCSO. Fine man.

Asst Chief Mark Hamner
Brinkley Fire Department

February 14, 2015

Trooper Atkins, you gave me my first ticket in 1984 for speeding between Clarendon and Brinkley. You were very courteous and conducted yourself in a very professional manner. You truly were one of Arkansas's finest and are a true hero. Thank you for service to the citizens of Monroe County and the State of Arkansas.

Lieutenant Robert Barrentine
Tyler Texas Police Department

May 8, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 33rd anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.
Thanks to your friends for sharing their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phylllis Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater

December 28, 2012

I have been a resident of Brinkley nearly my entire life and I had the privilage knowing Wilson. When I was in High School he was a Brinkley Police Officer and all the young people had respect for Wilson. He was stern but fair in his dealings with everyone reguardless of race or social status. He was a man of conviction and principle. I always looked up to Wilson. I went to work for the State Police in 1987 and was assigned to Arkansas County and I was working Highway 79 west of Stuttgart when Wilson was killed. I will never forget that day because we had the old radio system and it would skip from time to time and I heard the Forrest City radio operator trying to get him some help. My heart sunk and to this day I can remember the very location on Hwy 79 that I heard the radio traffic. I often wonder what kind of friends we would have been since I have spent twenty two years of my twenty five years with the State Police in Monroe County. Even more than being remembered as a brother Trooper I remember him as being a man of character and a devoted Christian who loved the Lord. Wilson your are missed very much. Those of us that loved you will see will see you in Glory.

Sergeant Barry Roy
Arkansas State Police

July 3, 2012

It was "Hot" that day, I was working Highway 49 near Marvell, when the Call Came out, "Forrest City, "D-33", No Reply.

From the tone of the Operators voice, you knew some thing wasn't right, several more calls, No Answer.

Even today, As I pass along I-40 near the 208 mile marker, I think of that accident.

Wilson Atkins left us with some fun memories like the time we were having a Saturation and were gathered at Bonanza in Forrest City for a meal, Trp. Allen Swint (deceased) was at the food bar and offered Wilson a Pee'em and Eat'em Shrimp, Wilson took it and began to eat it, with a funny look on his face, he then said , it's alright, just kind of crunchy, Swint sarcastically said, you are supposed to peel them first, we all got a Big Laugh out of that.

Gone but not forgotten, a soft spoken man that carried a big stick.

Siegfried Lewis - Sergeant
Arkansas State Police

July 9, 2009

I did not have the pleasure of meeting you, however the troopers who knew you and your family spoke about you. I wish I had, yet I am happy to know we wear the same ASP uniform.

Lloyd Franklin, Captain Troop E
AR State Police

July 3, 2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

June 14, 2009

Rest in Peace, Trooper Atkins. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 31, 2008

Trooper Atkins, thank you for your service and paying the ultimate sacrifice. To your family all of you are in the prayers of my wife and me. Just remember that Trp. Atkins is now waking the streets of Gold being led by Jesus our Savior.

Trooper
FloridaHighway Patrol

February 4, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 18, 2007

Wilson was a good friend of mine. I remember fondly the many hours that I spent riding with him as he patrolled Monroe County. Additionally he and I were involved with making ambulance calls for the City of Brinkley during off times. We made many trips together transporting the sick and injured to hospitals in Memphis and Little Rock. He did this because he cared for everyone and wanted to help. I remember one trip where we burned the transmission out of the ambulance on the way to Little Rock with a lady about to have a baby. Wilson was driving and I wouldn't let him stop because nither one of us wanted to have to deliver the baby. We arrived at the hospital just as she was delivering and the transmission was so hot that it looked like the ambulance was on fire because it was smoking so bad. We had to leave it parked at the hospital because it would not go any further. We laughed about it everytime we saw each other after that day. I remember clearly inspecting the vehicle that struck Wilson on I-40. The acron braid from his hat was imprinted clearly on the trim above the windshield. I will never forget Wilson and I appreciate so much his service to the City of Brinkley, Monroe County and the citizens of Arkansas. I am a better person for having known Wilson. He is simply one of the finest men I have ever know.

Doug Walker
Friend

June 22, 2007

I remember when I heard the news that Trooper Atkins was killed in the line of duty on Interstate 40. I graduated high school with his son and his wife was my 2nd grade school teacher in 1982. As a law enforcement officer with the Arkansas Highway Police, and looking at this website, I understand why my wife tells me she loves me every time I walk out the door. I remember Mrs. Atkins telling me that she kissed him goodbye and he never came back! I know now what I put my wife through every time I leave home.

Pfc. Michael Partain
Arkansas Highway Police

March 13, 2007

As a personal friend and colleague of Wilsons', I would like to add a reflection of him. Wilson was one of the best Law Enforcement Officers that I ever had the priviledge of working with. I first worked with Wilson while he was a Police Officer with the Brinkley Police Dept. As a humerous note to Wilson's Career, he and I were working together one night and were taking turns working in the dispatch area. I was working patrol and found a door open on one of the night clubs. I redioed in and told Wilson what I had found and that I was going to enter the building. I had been in the building for a couple of moments and I heard a voice coming from the front door, which I quickly recognized as that of Wilson's. He had gotten one of the trustees out of bed and had him set at the radio so he could come to "back me up" at the club. This is just one instance that shows the type man and Police Officer he was. On the day of his death I was called at my home be Lt. Steve Gray of the Arkansas State Police and was asked to go to Wilson's home to be with his wife and son until representatives of the Arkansas State Police could arrive to give his wife the news of his death. I looked at this as a priviledge to be able to be with his family at this time.

Wilson was a fine man, father, husband, Christian, and an outstanding Law Enforcement Officer that would have had a long and prosperous career had God not decided that he needed his assistance in Heaven.

Tim Prestwood

Chief Tim Prestwood, Retired
Brinkley P.D./Monroe County S.O.

December 7, 2006

Trooper Atkins,
As one officer wrote in another fallen officer's reflections-"No fallen officer should be without a reflection." I would like to say thank you for your service to the citizens of the state of Arkansas.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

May 15, 2005