Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas
End of Watch: Friday, May 31, 2013
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 136
Cause of Death: Drowned
Date of Incident: May 31, 2013
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Wildlife Officer Joel Campora and Sheriff Cody Carpenter of the Scott County Sheriff's Office drowned while assisting victims of an overnight flash flood along the Fourche Lefave River near Y City, Arkansas.
They had responded by boat to a 911 call at a home in the flooded area along the river. They both exited the boat and entered the home to assist two female victims who were trapped inside. At some point, the officers, victims, and boat were swept away by the rising water. Sheriff Carpenter's body was located the following morning, while Officer Campora's body was recovered three days later, one mile downstream.
Officer Campora had served with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for five years and previously served with the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and Mena Police Department. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, father, sister, grandmother, three nephews, and a niece.
A portion of Highway 71 near Y City was dedicated as the Wildlife Officer Joel Campora Memorial Highway.