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Submitted: 7/25/16 • Approved: 7/28/16 • Last Updated: 7/31/16 • R1150074-G1150073-S3
Joe
U.S. Army
Korea
September 1, 1931 - September 11, 2011
*Obituary
Springdale Morning News
Wednesday, September 14, 011
SPRINGDALE — Joseph "Joe" Frank Sims, 80, of Springdale, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Springdale. He was born Sept. 1, 1931, in Springdale, to Tom and Any Hardin Sims.
Joe served in the U.S. Army. He retired from the Springdale Police Department after 23 years of service as the second Springdale police chief from 1973 to 1976. He worked for the Arkansas State Police from 1976 until 1994. He was a member of the Robinson Avenue Church of Christ. Joe was a 32nd degree Mason and was a member of the Springdale Lodge No. 316. He enjoyed fishing.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Sims; and one son, Michael Sims.
Survivors include one son, Marcus Sims of Springdale; one brother, Jack Sims of Roseville, Calif.; three grandchildren, Allison Sims, Christopher Sims and David Sims; two great-grandchildren, Brylee Sims and Tucker Sims.
Memorial services will be Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, at 10 a.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale.
To sign the guest book online, please visit www.siscofuneral.com.
*Obituary (News Article)
Springdale Morning News
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Former Chief Dies
By Steve Caraway
SPRINGDALE — One of the pioneers of the Springdale Police Department died Sunday.
Joseph "Joe" Sims, 80, a former city police chief was one of three members of the first modern Springdale police force, said Jeff Harper, city attorney who worked as a police officer for Sims.
"He was a hard-nosed, good, honest police chief," Harper said. "He helped set the tone for the Springdale police's reputation as tough but fair."
Sims was born Sept. 1, 1931, in Springdale to Tom and Amy Hardin Sims. He also died in Springdale.
Wayne Hayden, the first city police chief hired Sims when he returned from the Army after serving during the Korean War. Hayden, Sims and Stanley Black were the only officers when the department began.
Sims and his police dog, as well as Black and his dog, would patrol Emma Avenue on foot in the early 1960s, successfully reducing a rash of break-ins, said Karl Martens, a former Springdale police officer. Martens was promoted to lieutenant the same time as Sims.
"He was low-key and dependable," Martens said. "You knew he would get things done."
Sims served as chief from 1973 to 1976, succeeding Hayden. Truman Brewer, who became Springdale police chief in 1981, worked for Sims.
"He stood behind his men," Brewer said.
Gary Swearingen said he became acting chief after Sims retired.
"He was always considerate of everyone," Swearingen said. "He was very thoughtful."
Sims began a second career after he retired as chief, working as a dispatcher for the Arkansas State Police at Troop L in Springdale from 1976 to 1994. Sims always had a good word for everyone, said Winfred Phillips, former state police director and Troop L commander.
Sims gave fatherly advice to the troopers, said Maj. Les Braunns, Arkansas State Police Western region commander and another former Troop L commander.
"He had a lot of law enforcement experience to help the troopers who were younger than he was," Braunns said.
Sims is known among fellow officers as the man who told troopers at the start of the 1980 riots at Fort Chaffee, "Head to Fort Smith and don't spare the horses."
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale.
Dorothy
October 29, 1932 - July 6, 2010
*Obituary
Springdale Morning News
Thursday, July 8, 2010
SPRINGDALE — Dorothy Belle Sims, 77, of Springdale, died, July 6, 2010, at The Maples at Har-Ber Meadows. She was born Oct. 29, 1932, in Marshall, Ark., to Wilson and Effie Smith Massey. She retired from Jones Truck Lines as payroll manager after 21 years of service. Later she worked for JB Hunt and NARTI. She was a member of Robinson Avenue Church of Christ and the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by one son, Michael Sims.
She is survived by her husband, Joe Sims, whom she married Nov. 28, 1957: son, Marcus Sims and wife, Susan, of Tulsa, Okla.; brother, Windell Massey of Mayo, Fla.; sister, Shirley Brown of Finley, Ill.; three grandchildren, Allison Sims of Fayetteville, Christopher Sims and wife, Tara, of Springdale, and David Sims and wife, Natalie, of North Little Rock; and one great-grandson, Tucker Sims.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 9, 2010, at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale with Harry Fitzgerald officiating.
Visitation will be today from 5 to 7 p.m at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Children's House, 2190 S. Razorback Road, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
Online condolences may be made to www.siscofuneral.com.
Contributed on 7/25/16 by judyfrog
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Record #: 1150074