Incident
Sheriff Richard Jarrett was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an escapee from the Pineville Jail. The suspect gave up without a fight when Sheriff Jarrett located him at his home in Southwest City. He asked if he could go upstairs to get some clothes he wanted to take with him back to jail. Seeing no reason to object, Sheriff Jarrett let him go and went outside to wait. When the suspect returned he opened fire on the sheriff, killing him instantly. The suspect was later shot and killed by a posse. Sheriff Jarrett had served with the agency for four years. He was survived by his wife and four children. His father was sheriff of McDonald County from 1876 to 1884.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Jarrett gave the McDonald County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pineville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Jarrett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
McDonald County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1900, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1900, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1900, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 40. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Richard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 40. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Richard was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Richard had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.3% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 14.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at McDonald County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
McDonald County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 13-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from McDonald County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
