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Sonny Smith, 42, a 1991 graduate of Eagle Point High School and reserve deputy with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office in Clarksville, Ark., was killed Friday in a shootout with a suspected burglar. His aunt, Jacque Smith of Phoenix, Oregon, said in an interview today that Sonny was a volunteer deputy with the agency. He worked days in the family business building garage doors and nights as a watchman at a nearby nuclear power plant. Sonny Smith and a deputy were searching for a suspected burglar about 15 miles east of Clarksville at about 1 a.m. Friday and found Fred Albert Kauffeld, 51, of Clarksville, hiding in the woods. Kauffeld allegedly shot Smith in the neck with a .22 caliber gun, according to online police accounts. Smith, an 11-year veteran with the department, returned fire, wounding the suspect. Kauffeld was arrested with minor injuries and is being held without bond on a possible capital murder charge in the Polk County Detention Center. Smith was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Arkansas News. One of Smith’s sons, Dakota, graduated from Arkansas Technical University on the evening of Sonny's death, according to THV-11 television reports. The ceremony was attended by all deputies and area police, who saluted the graduate as he walked the stage and his sister sang in the school choir. Jacque Smith said Sonny was raised by her parents (his grandparents) and went through Eagle Point schools, then joined the Navy. He met his wife, Amy, in Paso Robles, Calif., after he was discharged, and they moved to Arkansas to be near her family. He is survived by her and their five children and his mother, Debbie Smith, of Lebanon, Oregon. A gofundme account, www.gofundme.com/deputysonnysmith , has collected $3,720 from 65 people in four days. Jacque Smith said Sonny and Amy have had one special needs child for the last 10 years, and, as caretaker, Amy has been unable to work. A memorial service is planned for May 27. A barbecue fundraiser is set for June 6, with colors presented by the sheriff’s office and prayers by the police chaplain. Condolences flowed in on Johnson County Sheriff Larry Jones’ Facebook page. On the evening of the killing, Jones posted, “(We are) saddened by the loss of our brother, Deputy Sonny Smith. He was a friend who gave his time willingly to serve and protect the citizens of Johnson County. As we deeply mourn the loss of one of our own we ask you, our community, to wrap your arms around your law enforcement professionals and the Smith family in the coming days. ... I am thankful to Deputy Smith for his service. You, my friend, will not be forgotten. You are a true hero, a wonderful friend, a family man. My heart, prayers and thoughts are with your family." U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, in a statement, said, “Deputy Smith was killed in the line of duty, confronting danger head on to protect his fellow Arkansans. I extend my deepest condolences to Deputy Smith’s loved ones and I will continue to lift them up in prayer. I hope that in their pain, they can take comfort knowing Arkansas is a better, safer place because of Deputy Smith and men like him. We will always remember his service to our state and we forever will honor his sacrifice and bravery.” Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected] .