Like so many others, Brandon Paudert and Bill Evans took up careers in law enforcement to follow in the footsteps of their fathers. The West Memphis, Ark., police officers killed on Thursday after a traffic stop on Interstate 40 had seen their fathers -- and, in Evans' case, a grandfather -- serve long careers.
Evans, who was 38, also has a brother on the West Memphis force; Brandon's father, Bob, is the West Memphis chief of police who previously served in the same capacity in Bartlett and worked many years for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
According to Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin, when the career runs in the family, the kinship means knowing the pride of wearing the uniform and the badge -- but also understanding the peril. Godwin, like many others in Memphis, visited with Chief Paudert after he heard the awful news about 39-year-old Brandon.
Slain Arkansas Officers Followed Their Families' Blue Legacy
Like so many others, Brandon Paudert and Bill Evans took up careers in law enforcement to follow in the footsteps of their fathers. The West Memphis, Ark., police officers killed on Thursday after a traffic stop on Interstate 40 had seen their fathers -- and, in Evans' case, a grandfather -- serve long careers.
More Patrol
Tips for Watching the Hands
How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.
Read More →
10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops
What steps can officers take to stay safer during felony or high-risk vehicle stops? Here are 10 tips from Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association.
Read More →
Amped Highlights Power Behind Amped FIVE Software
Amped FIVE empowers you to advance your investigations with confidence and precision, from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom.
Read More →
Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops
A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.
Read More →
From the Show Floor: InVeris
In this video, learn about how InVeris provides training to law enforcement, including customized augmented reality scenarios. The augmented reality system can scan up to 10,000 square feet of real-life environments and create a curriculum based on those spaces.
Read More →
From the Show Floor: Polaris Government & Defense
Learn about Polaris Government & Defense in this video as POLICE visits their show booth to discover their side-by-sides and the advantages they provide for agencies.
Read More →
2026 Ford Pro™ Police & Special Service Vehicles Guide is Available for Download
Ford Pro™ meets the needs of law-enforcement agencies
Read More →
Dashcam Video Shows Officers Rescue Man from Burning Car
Dashcam video released by a New Jersey police department shows two of its officers rescuing an unconscious man from a burning car after a crash.
Read More →
Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT Named Red Dot of the Year
The Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT system has been named Red Dot of the Year by Guns & Ammo magazine. The new optic system was introduced in January 2025.
Read More →
From the Show Floor: Axon
Join POLICE as we visit with Abi Stock, of Axon, to learn about the company’s latest technology offerings, such as Axon Assistant, Form One, and the DFR integration with Skydio.
Read More →