Prev
Incident
Posseman Frank Gartman was shot and killed while trying to apprehend a group of prisoners who escaped the Cummins Prison Farm in Arkansas.
A posse was formed when the escapees kidnapped three area high school students. Just before midnight, Posseman Gartman and another posse member approached a vehicle that was on the side of the road with a flat tire in Columbia east of the Ouachita River. As they moved towards the car, a shootout began. The hostages shouted to stop shooting since the escapees had guns pointed at their backs. However, the convicts fired at them, and Posseman Gartman was hit and died immediately. The convicts fled on foot into the pecan orchard using their hostages as a shield.
The next day, they found one of the convicts in a gulley a quarter mile away. Before he could fire, he was shot and killed by posse members. He was the escapee who had shot and killed Trustee Guard Claude Martin. Four convicts hid throughout the pecan orchard and the swamp area. They negotiated the release of their hostages when they became hungry and thirsty. The four men were convicted of murder and hanged. Another convict was found by law enforcement and was shot and killed when he would not surrender.
Posseman Gartman was a World War I veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, father, two brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp6hq9c8vcdkcx2vn0x3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Frank. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Frank is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Posseman Gartman served with the Caldwell Parish Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Columbia community. Thank you 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
Frank C. Gartman served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Frank is the only officer of Caldwell Parish Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Frank is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank 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 1940, 3 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 45. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Frank had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Frank was 45. 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. Frank had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 5.5% of these deaths in LA; July holds the most, 11.3%. Mondays: 12.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Caldwell Parish Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 13.7% 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.
Where
Military Service
Frank C. Gartman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Frank C. Gartman’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Caldwell Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.