ASP FAMILY MOURNS THE LOSS OF CORPORAL MARK CARTHRON
Texarkana youngster grew up knowing the risks of being a Trooper

SEPTEMBER 12, 2005

(LITTLE ROCK) - By the time Mark Carthron was 11 years old he knew about the risks and dangers that Arkansas State Troopers face every day.

In 1984 the father of one his school classmates and friends, an Arkansas State Trooper by the name of Louis Bryant was gunned down and murdered during a violator traffic stop. Thirteen years later, Carthron decided duty and service to his state were more important than the risks and dangers. He asked his friends and family for their support in helping him become an Arkansas State Trooper.

“Mark could have done anything with his future he wanted to, but he sacrificed everything and chose to be an Arkansas State Trooper,” Dr. Bryant-Williams recalled.

Carthron graduated from Arkansas High in Texarkana and was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy; however, he chose to return to his home state soon after enrollment.

“He told me he was uncertain that a military school was what he wanted at the time,” said Dr. Bryant-Williams. “He asked me for help in preparing to apply for a job with the Arkansas State Police.”

Arkansas State Police, Troop G Highway Patrol Sergeant Bill Fuller also wonders today what role he played in Carthron making the choice to become a state trooper.

“It was more than 20 years ago,” said Sergeant Fuller. “Mark and my son played on the same t-ball team and I helped coach the team. I like to think there was something I had to offer at the time that rubbed-off on him and caused that young man to join the ranks of this department,” Sergeant Fuller said.

After graduation from the Arkansas State Police Academy, Trooper Carthron asked to be assigned away from home. Although there was brief consideration given to the possibility of a southwest Arkansas assignment, he asked to be sent elsewhere and took a Highway Patrol assignment in Troop D, headquartered at Forrest City.

Trooper Carthron attained the rank of Trooper First Class and Corporal while assigned to Crittenden County.

Corporal Carthron, 31, of West Memphis died at a Memphis hospital early Monday (September 12th 2005) from injuries sustained Sunday evening (September 11th) about 6:30 PM after being struck by an Arkansas State Police Patrol car along Interstate 40 near West Memphis. He had deployed spike strips along the interstate in an attempt to deflate the tires of a robbery suspect vehicle being pursued by other Arkansas State Police Troopers. Corporal Carthron’s efforts to stop the fleeing vehicle and the occupants were successful however, his brave efforts cost him his life.

“Corporal Carthron died in the line of duty while serving his state and our citizens as an Arkansas State Trooper,” said Colonel Steve Dozier, Director of the Arkansas State Police.

It was eight years ago last week that Mark Carthron joined the ranks of the Arkansas State Police and in that short time he had demonstrated to his commanders that his career wasn’t about glory or being a hero. It was about service, sacrifice and duty.

“Had Mark lived and the arrests were made of the robbery suspects without the tragic ending, I believe Mark would have been satisfied just knowing he had a part in making his county a little safer by getting two bad guys off the street,” said Major Ed Wolfe, Commander of the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division.

Corporal Carthron is survived by his wife, Angela, a brother Thomas Junior of Atlanta, and his parents Thomas and Doris Carthron of Texarkana.

Family visitation will be held Friday evening (September 16th) 6 PM to 8 PM at Roller Citizen Funeral Home, 201 Pine Street, West Memphis. Funeral services are planned for Saturday (September 17th) at 2 PM at the 1st Baptist Church, 200 North Missouri Street in West Memphis.