Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Another anniversary tomorrow And I dont think that there is anyone still actually working that worked with you But everyone at Springdale Police Dept knows you and Honors you for your sacrifice The Chair with your badge is there in the new briefing room The FOP still wears your name The new hiway has your sign and I see it occasionally And we recently did a filming of officers who worked with you and on this case for a documentary
No, John you will never be forgotten

Lt Denny Upton (Ret)
Springdale Police Dept

December 20, 2023

Yesterday was the anniversary. No, I didn’t forget. Will never forget John. But you have been joined by many who worked with you Ian SPD. Truman and Karl. We lost two good men who were good cops. Now SPD has over 150 and while probably no one there ever met you, you life had meaning to them. A special chair dedicated to you sits in the new briefing room. A highway bears your name. I was given a tour of a new Police Dept building and young people asked me about you and that night. And in my mind I could remember R I P and my time will come as well to join you and all the others who made SPD a great department

Lt Denny Upton (Ret)
Springdale Police Dept. Worked with Off John Hussey

December 22, 2021

Hard to believe after 45 years. But still in the hearts and minds of so many people; a tribute to the Police Officer and Man you were. When I eventually join you and so many of our friends, I know that you will continue to be honored by SPD. Yesterday another Radio call to Unit 310
Lt (Ret) Denny Upton; SPD

Lt (Ret) Denny Upton
Springdale Police Dept. Springdale AR

December 22, 2020

John was a Wonderful man and classmate! He and his brother Ross would often sing specials at Calvary Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas and all of us looked forward to those times. He is truly missed. What gives most of us comfort is knowing that we will see John again one day soon!

Carolyn Sue Huddleston
Friend retired

November 1, 2020

It is hard to believe that 45 years have past since the day that forever changed my life. John was the best friend I ever had. We did everything together when I was in the 10th and 11th grades. John was a year ahead of me and when he started at the UofA we didn't see as much of each other then my family moved to Florida. As soon as we heard John was missing I started packing and we got word of his murder just before I left. I spent Christmas with his family and will never forget when the FBI came to update his parents. I moved back to Fayetteville and after farming for a while I felt this incredibly strong calling to honor John. I joined the Washington County Sheriff's Office and finished out my career after working for Huntsville PD, the US Marshal and ended up in Alaska where I retired.
My entire law enforcement career was dedicated to the most honest and best man I ever knew. John Tillman Hussey.

Rodney Hinson
Best friend

December 21, 2019

Rest in peace Patrolman Hussey.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 21, 2019

we had just moved here from California my brother in law was driving and we got lost that night , Officer Hussey stopped our car when we explained what had happened he escorted us to the house we had bought . A few hours later he was shot and killed. I remember waking up the next morning and hearing the news. I was 10 years old . The kindness he showed us that night will be forever etched in my soul . Officer John Tillman Hussey will always be my HERO! rip angel

Debbie Johnson
strangers

December 21, 2019

Another anniversary, another reflection. This time John, it is a little different. Just a few days ago, a Fayetteville PD officer was gunned down in the parking lot of the police department. I knew this officer, a young man just like you who was well loved by his family and community. I worked some with him in my new job as a security officer, and his Stephen and his partner often stopped in to see me. Another horrific event that will be burned into my memory, just like with you and so many of the police officers I have known.
So, just another reminder of how you are not forgotten, that your name will be forever mentioned with the honor and respect you deserve. Someday, it will be my turn to join you and Stephen and so many of the guys who took this responsibility of service.

Dennis D. Upton (Lt. retired)
Springdale Police Dept.

December 21, 2019

I remember very well when this happened it was quite a shock for this area Would have been so much different now There is so much better radio contact now and usually two patrols You don’t have this happen so much but every stop could turn into this Satan is out there this officer will never be forgotten by me and I know so many others Would like to know who found this officers I know it was Wedington and I remember place scared me then and now So sorry this happened

Christine Bartlett
Just a person that remembers

December 11, 2019

I hope his family knows how much he is remembered. Each time an officer is slain his name is on my mind. That is especially so after the execution of Stephen Carr.

Sherrie Curry, Civilian

December 11, 2019

I knew your mom and brother I’ve always heard good things about you, you sounded like an amazing person to meet but I’m sure I’ll meet you one day, it may not be on earth but I’ll meet you one day. I hope you are having an amazing time up there, and say hi to God for me.

Taylor
Just a family friend of your mom and your brother

August 20, 2019

We had just moved here from California I was 12 we got lost and Officer Hussey escorted us to our new home. He was amazing we would learn the next morning of his passing . I remember being 12 and in awe of his shiny badge and then the next morning I wept uncontrollably for days . Every year i think of him and now at 54 i still weep . The world needs to know Officer Hussey like many others is a hero . HE IS WHAT HEROES LOOK LIKE !

God bless our police, fire, emts, nurses and troops and vet and POWS

Officer Hussey you will ALWAYS BE MY HERO
OFFICER HUSSEY WAS SHOT ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER ESCORTING US TO OUR NEW HOME ...........

Debbie L. Clinton
someone very blessed to have met him

May 16, 2019

I am Michael Clark. The son of Skyler Clark. Skyler Clark was one of the officers who captured Raymond Coble, and Tommy Winnberry after there escape. https://www.deseretnews.com/article/11227/2-MURDERERS-CAPTURED-9-DAYS-AFTER-JAILBREAK.html I just wanted you to know the story of the lost officer is still talked about in 2019. My father is still living

Sargent Skyler Clark
Iola PD

April 11, 2019

Hard to believe, 43 years ago. But so much has happened this year to remind us about Off. John T. Hussey. One of the men charged with his murder died in prison. There was a ceremony honoring John in that a new Highway in Arkansas has been dedicated to him. At the ceremony, there were so many people involved in this investigation, including SPD Mike Blocker, FBI Dick O'Connell, and Prosecutor Mahlon Gibson, all speaking and talking about the extensive investigation. John's family was there, including your wife Toni, who also spoke, telling of how John was actually sick that night but went to work anyway, so the department would not be shorthanded that night. A lot of tears, a lot of laughter, and a lot of memories flooded that room. Officers who were not even born were there, as well as many of the officers, all now retired, who lived that night. Never was I so proud of being a member of the Springdale Police Department and having worked with John.
And it shows, that a Hero will never be forgotten, long after the rest of us are gone as well. Your supervisor that night, Ollen Stepp passed away this year as well, and it was said that he just joined with John in order to keep Heaven safe as well.
Denny Upton

Lt. (Ret) Denny Upton
Springdale Police Department, Springdale, AR

December 21, 2018

Off. John Hussey , Springdale Police Department, Arkansas, died on December 21, 1975 at the age of 22. One of the men convicted in his death was Harold Davey Cassell who received a life without parole sentence. On Oct 7, 2018, Cassell died as an inmate in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, completing his sentence, 43 years after John's death.
Rest in Peace, John, Rest in Peace.

Lt. (Ret) Denny Upton, Springdale Police Dept.

Lt. (Ret) Denny Upton
Springdale Police Department, Springdale, AR

October 11, 2018

I remember watching an episode of America’s Most Wanted back in it’s early days where it was profiling the guy who shot and killed Hussey. The guys name was James Ray Renton. The guy was obviously dangerous enough to be added to both the FBIs and US Marshals most wanted fugitives list. Thankfully the guy is dead, he died in prison in 1996 and Husseys loved ones can breath a sigh of relief. RIP John.

Luke McNamara
Cop supporter

November 27, 2017

I was a young woman who had never met John Hussey, but his death affected me greatly. He was so young and just trying to do his job when his path crossed with an evil coward. We must never forget him.

Nancy Bryant
Springdale resident

July 8, 2017

Remembering Ptl John T Hussey today. 41 years ago, John was taken hostage by cowards who later shot him with his own service weapon.
John was doing what he loved, being a police officer
Springdale PD has grown so much and is much different department than when we worked there,John. But they have never forgotten you.

Lt Denny Upton, SPD (Retired)
Springdale Police Dept

December 21, 2016

Met Him a few time before he became an officer when he worked for the university , and after. Great young man who loved life and helping people . He is be missed

Deputy les jones retired
Washington co. So

September 4, 2016

this day is so bittersweet for me we had just moved here from California and my brother in law was driving we got lost on highway 71 you see i was 10 yrs old and remember reading his badge from the back seat of our car. He took us to our destination which was Daline street where we had purchased a home it was just hours before the shooting took place the next morning i remember all too well being 10 yrs old and reading It was Hussey I have never forgotten that day ......for over 40 yrs i have felt so helpless even now at 50 yrs old I feel as helpless today as i did back then ............He was an amazing officer and one that should never be forgotten........... some memories you just don't shake they go to grave with you

DEBORAH JOHNSON
CITIZEN

December 21, 2015

Hard to believe it has been 40 years. No one at SPD now that worked with you. But your memory is very strong and the Officers there now honor your service. A radio call went out today calling your Unit 310, which has been retired in your Honor. Many of the men and women who did work with you have joined you now. They too served with Honor and Pride.

Lt Denny Upton Ret
Springdale Police Dept

December 21, 2015

I still remember. I was a student at the UofA Fayetteville at the time. A Vietnam Veteran. Now I am retire from the Army after 45 years of service. I remember this man. Keeps me oriented. A reference for Good and evil. Rest in Peace.

CAPT Joseph GLenn
USCG and U. S. Army

August 26, 2015

I never know John, but I worked with his brother Ross at U of A farms In 1973 & 74. I have been saddened by this this event for years. A truely great family and such a coward to take a man like John Husssey. I drove highway 16 past lake Wedington tonight and thought of The family. R.I.P. Patrolman John Hussey, you are truley a hero in my book.

David Farrell
Former Springdale Firefighter

December 21, 2014

John,
Today marks the 38th Anniversary of when you were taken from us. And today, I could not be more proud of the men and women of the Springdale Police Dept. Today, those officers, many of them were not even born when you served, honored you at 10 AM this morning, calling your retired Unit #310 and recognized the ultimate sacrifice you gave. Not many of us around that were working that year. Many of them have joined you. But no one that wore or wears a Springdale Police Badge has forgotten.

Lt. Denny Upton (retired)
Springdale Police Department

December 21, 2014

IN HONORE CASORUM
The promise... Always honored, never forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones.
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

December 21, 2014