Lafayette County chief deputy killed

Lafayette County chief deputy mourned by family, friends

19-year veteran of sheriff’s office killed in three-vehicle crash

Lafayette County Chief Deputy Pete Richardson was killed March 17 in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 82 west of Lewisville, Ark.

Officials said Richardson was transporting a homeless man to a shelter in Texarkana when his vehicle collided with a sport utility vehicle and a tractor-trailer.

Richardson, 50, died at the scene of the accident.

The homeless man, 28-year-old Michael Lee Ackart, was transported to Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana and later moved to the Miller County jail. Ackart has been charged with second-degree murder in Richardson’s death.

Officials said they believe Ackart grabbed the steering wheel of the sheriff’s office Dodge Nitro that Richardson was driving, causing Richardson to swerve into oncoming traffic.

“We think that Pete was trying to regain control of the vehicle,” said Lafayette County Sheriff Victor Rose.

Richardson, a native of Howard County, received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force and moved to Lafayette County in 1983. He was a 19-year veteran of the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. He started as a reserve deputy and jailor. He served as chief deputy and criminal investigator, positions he held at the time of his death, under two sheriff’s administrations. Richardson was running for election to Lafayette County Sheriff.

Funeral services were held March 22 at First Baptist Church of Stamps. Those in attendance gathered afterward at the Lafayette County Courthouse for an honor guard salute and flag presentation.

Richardson is survived by his wife, Melanie Richardson.

The Lafayette County Press and Magnolia Reporter newspapers contributed to this report.

Top: Lafayette County Chief Deputy Pete Richardson won the Top Gun trophy in the county firearm qualifying competition. Middle: Richardson works a domestic battery case. Left: Richardson demonstrates to other deputies how to deploy a spike strip.

Photos by Lucy Goodwin, Lafayette County Press