The Arkansas State Police honored CDL Examiner Dempsie Coffman for reaching 50 years of service with the agency, making him likely the longest-serving employee in ASP’s 90-year history.
Coffman began his career with ASP on October 7, 1973, when he was hired as a trooper. He was named ASP Trooper of the Year in 1979 and served in five of the department’s 12 troops before rising through the ranks. He retired in April 2004 as Lieutenant Coffman, Assistant Commander of Troop J in Texarkana.
Later in 2004, Coffman returned to the agency as a Commercial Driver’s License examiner. After serving in that position for 17 years, he retired again to care for family health issues. In October 2023, he was asked to return to ASP as a CDL examiner and agreed.
“This year marks an extraordinary 50 years of service for Lieutenant (Ret.) and CDL Examiner Dempsie Coffman,” said Col. Mike Hagar, Director of the Arkansas State Police. “His loyalty, professionalism, and dedication to the mission of the Arkansas State Police has set a standard that few will ever match.”
Coffman and his wife, Diane, have been married for 57 years and have two sons, Chad and Rusty. Several family members joined him at a recent event where he was surprised and honored for his five decades of service.
The ceremony was attended by Jim Hinkle, ASP Commission Chairman; Captain Kyle Drown, Commander of ASP Troop J; and Colonel Mike Hagar, ASP Director.
