BENTON, Ark. — Several law enforcement agencies helped honor a fallen Benton Detective on his last ride from Little Rock to Benton on Thursday morning.
Detective James Lett died Wednesday at the age of 56 after spending several days in the hospital getting treated for his injuries from a car wreck on Oct. 28.
On his way to a drug take-back event at the police department, his car hydroplaned, and he hit a bridge guardrail on Interstate 430.
"He was just a phenomenal partner and also a mentor to a lot of the younger detectives," Benton Police Capt. Kevin Russell said.
Russell said Lett will always be remembered as a leader, and his more than 26 years in law enforcement made him stand out.
"He had been with our agency since 2019," Russell said. "Just in those short few years... he was a phenomenal addition to our agency because of his investigative background and what he brought to the table, and he even taught for the Criminal Justice Institute."
Along with being remembered for his work, the community recognizes Lett's spirit and how he treated people.
"He was an amazing man," Russell said. "He was like a brother to many guys."
Lett was loved in the community and outside of Benton.
Before joining the department in 2019, Lett was a police officer serving Pulaski County, Saline County, the Maumelle Police Department and the attorney general's office.
"It's just impossible to put into words the impact that he brought to our agency and the City of Benton," Russell said.
He'll be remembered for that in the years to come.
Lett's memorial service will be at First Baptist Church in Benton on Nov. 11 at 2:00 p.m. Central.