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Incident
Location: Tennessee Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Shot and killed
Sheriff Sam Mauldin was shot and killed as he and several officers raided a blind tiger on the Mississippi River's Island 37.
When the posse arrived to raid the island the occupants contested their authority because the jurisdiction of the land was being contested between Arkansas and Tennessee. During the ensuing encounter the posse and occupants exchanged fire. Sheriff Mauldin and one of the occupants were killed. The occupants then surrendered after running out of ammunition.
More than 20 men and women were arrested and held in connection with Sheriff Mauldin's murder. The subject who shot Sheriff Mauldin was taken to jail but later died of injuries sustained in the shootout. The owner of the blind tiger was also shot and killed when a mob of over 50 citizens broke into the jail to lynch him.
Of the others who were apprehended, one died in jail from pneumonia, another was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 21 years, and charges against the others were dismissed.
A Supreme Court ruling later determined that Island 37 was part of Tennessee.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Mauldin served with the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Luxora community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Mauldin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Sam is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Sam is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Sam 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 1915, 2 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1915, 152 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1915, 157 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Saturdays: 16.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Mississippi County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 13.3% 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 gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Sam among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mississippi County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.