November 29, 2025 marks 30 years since the tragic line-of-duty death of Arkansas Correctional Sergeant Scott A. Grimes—an officer whose courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to protecting others continues to resonate deeply within the Arkansas Department of Correction and the entire corrections profession.

Sergeant Scott Grimes, age 41, lost his life on November 29, 1995, at the Tucker Unit after stepping between an armed inmate and the targeted prisoner he was escorting. Just two months into his promotion to Sergeant, and only five years into his service with the Arkansas Department of Correction, Scott Grimes demonstrated extraordinary bravery in the face of immediate danger.

While escorting a handcuffed inmate through the Administrative Segregation cellblock, another inmate—serving a life sentence for murder, breached his cell door and launched a violent attack. Sergeant Grimes instinctively pushed the unarmed inmate out of harm’s way and placed himself directly in front of the attacker. The assailant stabbed him twice in the chest.

Despite being mortally wounded, Sergeant Grimes continued to fight. He held the attacker in a headlock until assistance arrived, ensuring that no other staff or inmates were harmed. Shortly after help reached him, Sergeant Grimes collapsed and succumbed to his injuries approximately an hour later.

The inmate responsible was later convicted of his murder and originally sentenced to death. That sentence was commuted to life without parole in 2021 after federal courts deemed him intellectually disabled. He remains incarcerated.

A Hero Remembered

Sergeant Grimes’ sacrifice shook the department, his family, and the community he faithfully served. He left behind his wife, Susie, and his daughters—five young girls who lost their father far too soon. Many remember him as a devoted family man who volunteered much of his free time working with youth in his community.

His colleague and close friend, Terry Turner, carried deep remorse for many years, as Sergeant Grimes was covering his shift on the day of the attack. Staff who worked alongside him recall a man who was dedicated, humble, and known for his good humor.

His older brother, Mike Grimes, also a longtime ADC employee, spoke candidly about the pain of that day and the memory of his first walk through the facility as an officer. He has often reminded new officers that complacency has no place in corrections:
“When you feel as safe and as comfortable in a barracks with 150 inmates as you do in your own home, it may be time for a job change.”

For Mike, November 29 is a date that will never fade: “It was a tough day for the family,” he said during a remembrance ceremony. The family was notified that Scott had been airlifted from Tucker Unit to a hospital, but he tragically did not survive the flight.

Honoring His Legacy

In recognition of his sacrifice and service, the ADC named the Newport unit in his honor. The Grimes Unit stands today as a living testament to the life and heroism of Sergeant Scott A. Grimes. Staff working inside the facility are reminded daily of the meaning of the name on the building and the true cost of the badge.

At the 20-year commemoration ceremony, Sergeant Grimes’ brother, daughter, nephew, and niece gathered alongside officers, administrators, and community members to honor his memory. Warden James Banks shared Scott’s story with those in attendance, emphasizing the responsibility correctional staff carry:

“We serve and protect, and we are in that role here as well. We must protect those placed in our custody.”

Sergeant Grimes was buried in the uniform he proudly wore, receiving full honors for his selfless heroism. To this day, he is remembered by fellow officers, his family, and the community as a man who put the safety of others before himself, an action that ultimately cost him his life, but saved another.

Thirty Years Later

Three decades have passed since that cold November day, yet Sergeant Scott A. Grimes’ impact has not diminished. His legacy lives on in the facility that bears his name, in the countless officers who have heard his story, and in the family who continues to honor his memory with grace and strength.

As we mark 30 years since his passing, the Correctional Peace Officers Foundation stands with his loved ones and with the Arkansas correctional community to ensure that his courage is never forgotten.

Sergeant Scott A. Grimes remains a hero—today, tomorrow, and always.