Remembering the 23 LRPD Officers killed in the line of duty

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May 15 each year is set aside as Peace Officers Memorial Day during Police Week.  Last Friday, the City of Little Rock paid tribute to the 23 men who were Little Rock Police Officers killed in the line of duty since the department was founded in 1866.

These were veterans and newcomers. They were white and African American.  They held the rank of Patrolman, Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant.  Some had been on the force just a few years while one had over thirty years service in the LRPD uniform.

The details of each incident are tragic in their own way. But regardless of the circumstances which led to their death, it is important to remember that each of them gave their life in service to the citizens of Little Rock.

Patrolman William L. Copeland
December 30, 1885
Killed after being assaulted

Patrolman W. T. Phillips
August 1, 1908
Shot and killed while attempting an arrest

Patrolman John O. Miller
April 23, 1911
Shot and killed while attempting an arrest

Sergeant William I. Campbell
April 18, 1912
Shot and killed while investigating a disturbance

Detective Sam Morgan
October 30, 1915
Killed in a shootout while attempting an arrest

Patrolman Joe Erber
June 30, 1920
Shot and killed while responding to a disturbance

Patrolman Thomas D. Hudson
August 19, 1920
Shot and killed while attempting an arrest

Detective Sergeant John W. Cabiness
August 12, 1922
Accidentally shot and killed by a law enforcement official from another agency

Detective Sergeant George W. Moore
July 24, 1923
Shot and killed instantly while on an investigation with Detective Sergeant Luther Hay

Detective Sergeant Luther C. Hay
July 26, 1923
Died from injuries after being shot while on an investigation with Detective Sergeant George Moore

Patrolman Charles B. Faulkner
July 13, 1924
Died from injuries in a motorcycle accident while responding to a call

Patrolman Harvey L. Biggs
July 27, 1924
Shot and killed while investigating a burglary

Patrolman Frank E. Swilling Sr.
December 11, 1926
Died due to injuries received after being struck by a car while serving a summons

Patrolman Robert A. Johnson
March 23, 1930
Killed when his police motorcycle was struck by a car

Detective Samuel Neal McDermott
September 3, 1930
Died from injuries after being shot while attempting an arrest

Detective Oscar F. Deubler
January 1, 1947
Killed by an officer under investigation who mistakenly thought Lt. Deubler had testified against him. After killing Lt. Deubler, the officer killed himself.

Patrolman Lloyd W. Worthy
September 2, 1967
Shot and killed while investigating suspicious activity

Patrolman Alvin Joseph Free
September 27, 1970
Killed in an automobile accident while responding to backup an officer

Detective Noel Don McGuire
May 14, 1980
Shot in the back and killed while working a vice detail

Patrolman David Barnett
February 13, 1991
Shot and killed while trying to stop an armed robbery

Patrolman Henry L. Callanen
May 15, 1993
Shot and killed while making a bank deposit in an off-duty job

Detective Joseph Tucker Fisher
February 7, 1995
Shot and killed while serving a narcotics search warrant

Patrolman Jack David Cooper
February 2, 2002
Died from a gunshot wound received the previous day when respondeding to a disturbance

 

 

 

1 thought on “Remembering the 23 LRPD Officers killed in the line of duty”

  1. I taught Noel McGuire in the fifth grade. He was the only child of Noel and Kay McGuire. His mentor was Doc Holiday whom I also taught in Junior High and high school. My husband worked in the LRSD with Don’s dad. Very sweet gracious people. My heart has always hurt for them. His dad has died within the last couple of years and I really need to call and check on his mother. 😢

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