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Mission
The Arkansas State Police Foundation financially supports the State Police and its employees to fulfill their mission, “to protect human life and property in the State of Arkansas.”
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Providing life protecting equipment, training, facilities, and continuing education when state and federal funding streams are not sufficient.
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Supporting many local programs and community outreach to increase public confidence and understanding of police activities.
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Assisting employees and their families through times of crisis by contributing to funeral, medical, lodging, and other expenses.
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Providing scholarships for Troopers and Auxiliary member’s dependents to aid in the financial burden of higher education
History
In 1935, the Arkansas State Police was created to protect the lives, property and constitutional rights of people in Arkansas by assisting local agencies and to aid and supply resources not afforded at the local level. The Arkansas State Police continue to support local law enforcement in every corner of the state by investigating every major criminal case, fatal crash and crime committed against a child, as well as, keeping our roads safe.
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The demands on each and every branch of the agency continue to grow but our state police continue to provide the highest quality of service to the public. Like many other state agencies, the Arkansas State Police has been affected by budgetary cuts. Simply stated, there is not enough money to fund the required programs, training functions and other duties the agency has long provided.
The Arkansas State Police Foundation was established in 2000 to collaborate with corporate and individual donors to ensure Arkansas’s premiere law enforcement agency is fully equipped and capable of responding to any threat. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring the highly qualified Troopers have the training, equipment and technology needed to prevent crime, save lives and make Arkansas a safer place.
Recently, in 2023 the ASPF Board of Directors personally financed the purchase of new badges for ASP troopers.
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​“The Troopers have the public’s back; we have the Trooper’s backs.”
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Randy & Betty Hedge Spouses’ Auxiliary Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was founded in 2020 to assist eligible dependents of ASP Troopers and their Auxiliary spouses with financial assistance for expenses associated with higher education. This scholarship award covers traditional college and trade schools in Arkansas. ASPF Board Member, Randy Hedge and his wife Betty, were the first to contribute to the scholarship fund at its conception. Policies have been developed for this fund by the Foundation Board Scholarship Committee. One aspect of eligibility for this scholarship is Auxiliary member participation. The Foundation plans and implements fundraising efforts to aid in the continual funding of the Scholarship. In addition, major donors and endowments are critically needed to allow for a permanent revenue stream. A Scholarship Selection Committee is composed of members of the Foundation Board of Directors and representatives from the Spouses’ Auxiliary. The Selection Committee follows policies and guidelines approved by the Foundation Board of Directors and carefully considers each scholarship application. Scholarships may be renewed for eight semesters if the applicant continues to meet the eligibility criteria. Currently, the scholarship is awarding $4,000 a semester. The first scholarship was awarded in the fall of 2021, in the fall of 2022, seven scholarships were awarded, and in the fall of 2023, fifteen scholarships were awarded and, in the spring of 2024, nineteen scholarships were awarded. For the upcoming Fall 2024, fifteen additional scholarships have been added. Currently in fall of 2024, we are awarding 30 troopers dependent’s scholarships. The ASPF is focusing almost exclusively on fundraising for the scholarship fund currently.
Capital Campaigns
Precision Driving Training Complex
In 2019, the Arkansas State Police Foundation worked with the National Guard Adjutant General Mark Berry to secure 303 acres of land at Camp Robinson to build the Precision Driving Training Complex. At that time, Arkansas was one of the only three states without such a facility. At that time, the ASP driving training was held at Stuttgart Airport. Various fundraising efforts by the ASPF Board of Directors and the ASPF Auxiliary, along with funding from the State of Arkansas then Governor Asa Hutchinson and then Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, secured the funding for Phase I and Phase II of the complex. Phase I, the driving track, was completed in 2020 and released to the Arkansas State Police. Phase II, which includes the observation tower, garage and instructional (classroom) building was completed in November 2022 and released to the Arkansas State Police in March of 2023. Phase III will include a cafeteria and barracks. Fundraising and grant efforts are currently underway. The complex is open for use by all Arkansas certified law enforcement agencies. The ASPF Hall of Honor is located at the complex and honors all recipients of awards presented by the Foundation to Board members, Auxiliary members, and citizens. ​
Heart for Heroes
This is a Foundation program established to provide assistance for members of the ASP family in time of need such as illness, injury, house fires, or natural disasters such as flooding, etc. Various fundraising events have been held to provide funds for the account. The first event to establish the Hearts for Heroes program was a dinner hosted by Board Member Joe Donaldson and his wife, Larra in 2018. Board Member Don Houseworth and his wife, Robin, and their two daughters have also hosted multiple dinners. It is critical that the Foundation Board Members continue to sponsor and host events to add to this account since we never know when a situation will arise, and our help will be needed.
Vehicle Decals
The Arkansas State Police Foundation’s Vehicle Decal Program is an annual fundraiser that provides vital support to Arkansas State Troopers and their families. With a $100 donation, participants receive a distinctive vehicle decal, allowing them to visibly demonstrate their appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice of our Troopers. This program not only raises crucial funds for the Foundation’s initiatives but also fosters a sense of community by giving the public a meaningful way to show their support for the Arkansas State Police.