02/05/2026
Captain Jim Sell.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Fy6V35aM/
I was born and raised in Blytheville. At age 15, I was "testing" out my grandma's anti-lock brakes on Hearn St. I didn't realize he was behind me in his unmarked car with lights in the grill. He followed behind me from 10th St. down to 21st St., in between each and every stop-sign, (with decent air-time over the railroad tracks). He was furious.
My family knew him well, especially, Bill Beard, (Papa). He left the same impression on me that is echoed in these comments.
He was fair and honest. Strict yet merciful. Good people.
I was living in Mountain Home and remember hearing the sirens the day his life was taken. The irony of serving BPD his whole life and surviving just to be gunned down in that way in less than a few seconds, is . . . undescribable.
Thank you Captain Sell for the early life lesson because you shaped my perspective of Law Enforcement positively and for showing mercy.