Nilo Alberto Acosta

Nilo Alberto Acosta was born on September 8, 1943, in Tampa, Florida, to Maria “Nuni” Antonia Acosta and Alberto Manuel Acosta. He is lovingly survived by his devoted wife, Penny Acosta; his children, Michelle Acosta, Kermit (Kelly) Acosta, Nilo Jr. (Amy) Acosta, and Alesha (David) Moore; six cherished grandchildren; ten beloved great-grandchildren, with one more precious blessing on the way; his brothers, Danny Acosta and Mario Acosta; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Ida Santana and Amelia Acosta; and his brother, Elliott Acosta.

Nilo was raised in Key West, Florida, where he developed a lifelong love for deep sea fishing, beautiful sunsets, and strong Cuban coffee. In 1977 he moved his family to Arkansas, and in 1978 became a jailer for Sebastian County and later, though somewhat reluctantly at first, accepted a position as Deputy Sheriff. Through dedication and hard work, he eventually earned the rank of Sergeant.

As the only Spanish-speaking officer on the force at that time, Nilo played a vital role during the Cuban refugee crisis at Fort Chaffee in 1980, when the base became a processing center for Cuban refugees. Through his unique ability to bridge communication between refugees, law enforcement, and government agencies, he brought understanding, compassion, and calm resolution during a difficult and emotional time. In addition to serving the Sheriff’s Office, he also translated for the FBI, the U.S. State Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Nilo devoted much of his life to serving others. He was involved with SWAT, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Special Olympics, the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association, March of Dimes, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Fulfill A Dream. He also served as a public relations officer, crime prevention officer, and as part of the Sebastian County Civil Division.

While serving in the Sheriff’s Department, he earned the nickname “Chico,” a name many friends and colleagues affectionately knew him by. Whether you knew him as Nilo or Chico, you undoubtedly knew a man who was compassionate, loyal, generous, and deeply devoted to his family and friends. He was known for his sharp sense of style, his warm heart, his unforgettable storytelling, and his ability to make others feel valued and loved.

Outside of his career and service to others, Nilo found joy in gardening, collecting fedora hats, and his beloved collection of hippos — each hobby reflecting his unique personality.

On April 6, 2008, Nilo dedicated his life to Jehovah and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. His faith became a source of strength and comfort, and he found profound joy in sharing the hope and comforting truths of the Bible with others.

Nilo will be remembered for his kindness, his unwavering love for his family, his service to his community, and the lasting impact he made on everyone fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply loved, forever remembered, and greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Lewis Funeral Chapel, 4817 Kelley Hwy, Fort Smith, AR 72904.

The funeral service will be on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 4711 Kelley Highway, Fort Smith, AR 72904.