Cody Carpenter and Joel Campora passed ten years ago on May 31, 2013. The two were the definitions of heroes.
Family and friends gathered for the third annual Cody Carpenter Memorial service on 5/27/2023 at the Waldron Pentecostal Church of God.
It’s easy to see from the photos in the slideshow and the stories told about Cody why we are still gathering to honor him years after his death. The big smile graces the screen over and over as most photos show a grinning Cody. The stories mostly all contain humor, but they also speak to what a respectful person he was.
Rodney Hitchcock knew the sheriff before he was in law enforcement. When as Rodney described it, they were on the other side of the law. Now a juvenile officer himself, Rodney recounted asking Cody why he would want to be in law enforcement when “all we do is complain about them”; Cody replied he could be one good cop. And that he did, he became a good cop who then became investigator, chief deputy, and then became the sheriff.
Mike Godfrey, retired Polk county sheriff, shared he met Cody and instantly gravitated towards him. He remarks because of Cody Carpenter he was a better sheriff and father. The legacy he leaves behind speaks volumes of the respect he exuded for everyone on both sides of the law, and his love for his four kids and family as a whole.
David Millard, City of Waldron Mayor, finished the memorial by declaring May 27, 2023 Cody Carpenter day in Waldron.
Thank you to all the speakers- Billy Black, Brian Bailey, Paul Jolivette, Mike Godfrey, Rodney Hitchcock, and David Millard. Thank you to Jasmine McKay for singing. Thank you Konnor McKay for officiating.
