Police-led funeral processions on decline

Police-led funeral processions are declining across the state of Arkansas.

Five of the state's 10 largest cities still provide the service, including Texarkana.

For more than four generations, police have been providing police escorts in Arkansas.

Now some police departments are banning the escorts due to safety and liability issues.

Texarkana, Arkansas Police Chief Bob Harrison says the department will continue to provide this public service.

"It's one service that we could give to a taxpayer, and compensate them in some way and lead them to their final resting place that I think they deserve," said Chief Harrison.

Texarkana, Arkansas police escort about 300 funeral processions each year.

Harrison says usually two officers will work a funeral and if all officers are busy, the funeral procession will proceed without them.

"There is no associated cost with doing a funeral escort, it's just part of theit duties and responsibilities," said Harrison.

He says they also receive more favorable comments from the public about this service, than anything else.

"It's one service that we could give to a taxpayer, and compensate them in some way and lead them to their final resting place that I think they deserve," explained Harrison.

Other large cities in Arkansas that still provide police-led funeral processions include Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville and Pine Bluff.

Springdale was the most recent city to abandon the service.