On February 28, 2022, deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence of a known felon, on state-supervised probation, to perform a welfare check, after reports of a woman who was being held against her will.

When the deputies arrived at the residence, shots were fired from inside the home. After a brief standoff, deputies determined the suspect had slipped out, and the home was empty.

The Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Department of Corrections to conduct a search. A four-person team deployed, including Sergeant Caudell and his canine of the Tucker Unit in Arkansas.

As they searched the area, Sergeant Caudell and another officer came upon a modular home with a disturbed underpinning. While investigating, a shot rang out, and Sergeant Caudell went down from a single gunshot wound to the chest. He was pulled from the scene and transported to an area hospital where he died a short time later.

The man fled but was captured the following day. The woman was later found safe.

Sergeant Caudell had served the Arkansas Department of Corrections for nine years, prior to that, his life was dedicated to public service. In high school, he participated in ROTC, he went on to serve the Army National Guard.

Sergeant Caudell was a loving partner to his wife, Lorna-Beth, who he met before they had started high school. His children, EmmaRay, Audrey and Jeremiah were the light and focus of his life. His family believes “His presence will forever be felt wherever his wife and children go. He will be with us on softball fields, in the backyard grilling, watching the Razorbacks and wherever the horses take his fellow ADC field riders.”

Sergeant Caudell’s family was escorted by Correctional Sergeant Natalie Rocco. “It was an honor to have been their family escort! The girls are absolutely beautiful and amazing! They have such big hearts and the whole family was so appreciative for everything CPOF did.” Lieutenant James Macalla and Corporal Michael Canada also escorted the family.