Sheriff remembers longtime deputy

Covington had a 36-year career in law enforcement with county, WM police

By Ralph Hardin

news@theeveningtimes.com

Billy Covington served the community in his career as a law enforcement agent for 36 years before his retirement — one of the many dedicated police officers who had lengthy careers in Crittenden County, like Dick Busby, John Griffin, Gary Kelley and others.

Covington passed away on Sunday, at the age of 75.

Crittenden County Sheriff Mike Allen shared the news and reflected on Covington's work and life in law enforcement.

'It’s with a heavy heart to announce that retired Sheriff’s Deputy Billy Covington, passed away January 12, 2025,' Allen said in a social media post. 'Billy Covington was a retired police officer with 36 years of Public Service to the Crittenden County area.'

Covington had 17 years with West Memphis Police Department as a uniformed Patrol Officer and 19 years as a Deputy Sheriff with the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department. He was born in Lepanto, in 1949 and lived there until graduating High School in 1968.

After graduation he enlisted in the U.S Army and got out of the Army in 1971 with an honorable discharge and ap-

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COVINGTON DEPUTY

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plied as a Police Officer with the West Memphis Police Department.

'Billy loved people and his job, he always had a smile on his face that was contagious,' shared Allen. I worked with Billy Covington at both the West Memphis Police Department and the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department.

He will be greatly missed and on behalf of the men and women of the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Department we send our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family that we know he truly loved. To know Billy Covington was to love Billy Covington and all that knew him loved him and will miss his smile and humor greatly.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.'