Franklin Buddy Ellis Snell Jr.

Franklin “Buddy” Ellis Snell of Greenwood, Arkansas passed away on October 11, 2017 in his home. He was born September 19, 1958 in Van Buren, Arkansas. Buddy worked for the Fort Smith Police Department for 22 years where he spent five years in patrol before serving as a detective for criminal investigations. In 2010, he became one of only 900 certified latent print examiners in the world, a milestone he counted as his greatest professional achievement. He retired as a detective in 2013 at the rank of Corporal. After retiring from the force, he served as the Public Defense Investigator for Sebastian County. Buddy was also a proud member of the Public Guardian Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (PGLEMC).

He is survived by his two sons, Jeremy Snell and his wife, Madison of Fort Carson, Colorado and Cameron Snell and his wife, Krista of Barling; two grandchildren, Logan and Nora Snell; his girlfriend, Kristi Smith of Greenwood; his sister, Patricia Butler of Fort Smith and a host of friends he considered family just as much as his own blood. He is preceded in death by his father, Franklin Snell of Waldron and mother, Shirley Honea Hall of Fort Smith.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, October 14 at Grace Community Church, 4001 Brooken Hill Drive in Fort Smith under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood. Viewing will be Friday from 2 – 7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Fort Smith, where the family will visit with friends from 5 – 7 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Public Guardian Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Honorary pallbearer will be Jake Smith.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to FSMPA FALLEN OFFICERS FUND at Bancorp South or mail to same at 100 South 10th Fort Smith 72901.

To sign an online guest book, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com