Fort Smith Police Department, Arkansas
End of Watch: Monday, January 5, 1981
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 5, 1981
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Detective Tate was shot and killed after being abducted along with three crime victims. A woman and a co-worker had gone to the police station to report that the woman's husband was missing. After taking the report Detective Tate followed the two back to her residence. He advised dispatch of his arrival and then made no further contact.
The bodies of Detective Tate, the woman, and the co-worker were found the following day. Detective Tate had been restrained in his own handcuffs and had been shot in the back of the head. The body of the missing husband was found in a nearby recreation area. A suspect was apprehended and charged with four counts of kidnapping and murder. The suspect was convicted of all counts and sentenced to death but died in prison.
Detective Tate had been with the agency for four years and was survived by his wife, son, daughter and sister.