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Incident
Police Officer Thomas Hudson was shot and killed when he surprised a man at approximately 2:00 a.m., robbing a cafe at 922 West Ninth Street in Little Rock. Officer Hudson ordered the man to stop and to put his hands up. Instead, the man opened fire, striking Officer Hudson. Officer Hudson returned fire, killing the suspect. He succumbed to his injuries approximately three hours later. Officer Hudson was a U.S. Army veteran and served with the Little Rock Police Department for over a year. He was survived by his wife. He was the first black Little Rock officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Hudson gave the Little Rock Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas D. Hudson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Little Rock Police Department has lost 23 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 2 officers at Little Rock Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1920, 7 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 26. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Little Rock Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5. Thomas had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Thomas was 26. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Thomas had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 10.5% of these deaths at Little Rock Police Department; February holds the most, 15.8%. Thursdays: 15.8%.
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Thursdays: 18.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 82.6% of all 23 deaths at Little Rock Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Little Rock Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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William L. Copeland
Dec 31, 1885
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W. T. Phillips
Aug 2, 1908
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William I. Campbell
Apr 18, 1911
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John O. Miller
Apr 23, 1911
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Sam D. Morgan
Oct 30, 1915
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Joe Erber
Jun 6, 1920
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Thomas D. Hudson
Aug 19, 1920
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John W. Cabiness
Aug 12, 1922
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George W. Moore
Jul 24, 1923
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Luther C. Hay
Jul 26, 1923
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Charles B. Faulkner
Jul 13, 1924
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Harvey L. Biggs
Jul 27, 1924
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Frank E. Swilling, Sr.
Dec 11, 1926
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Robert A. Johnson
Mar 23, 1930
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Samuel Neel McDermott
Sep 3, 1930
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Oscar F. Deubler
Jan 1, 1947
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Lloyd W. Worthy
Sep 2, 1967
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Alvin Joseph Free
Sep 27, 1970
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Noel Don McGuire
May 14, 1980
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David E. Barnett
Feb 13, 1991
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Henry Lee Callanen
May 15, 1993
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Joseph Tucker Fisher
Feb 7, 1995
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Jack David Cooper
Feb 2, 2002
Where
Military Service
Thomas D. Hudson served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas D. Hudson’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Little Rock Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
