Campora Named AGFC Wildlife Officer of the Year

BY LEANN DILBECK –

Joel Campora has been named as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Officer of the Year. Campora died in the line of duty May 31 along with fellow law enforcement officer Scott County Sheriff Cody Carpenter while the two were attempting to rescue two women trapped in their home that was consumed by flood waters near Y-City.

Campora was a native of Polk County and had been serving AGFC since 2007. He resided in Scott County with his wife, Rebecca, and two daughters at the time of the incident. Rebecca told The Pulse, “I am so proud that he received this award. To me he was always worthy of this award! He was an amazing husband and father! His dream as a child was to be a game warden. At age 27 he achieved his lifelong dream.”

Campora is now nominated to be honored as the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agency Officer of the Year.

Campora was recently honored at the Crystal Music Festival, Salem Baptist Church VBS, and a billboard in Waldron serves as a reminder of the tremendous sacrifice that he and Carpenter made that treacherous night.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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