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Watchman

Gerrard Arnold

Alexandria Police Department — Alexandria, VA
Felonious
United States flag Virginia flag
End of Watch September 9, 1827
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
The Vigil Panel 2 · Column 3 · Line 12 ›
Gender Male
Incident Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 16

Incident

Watchman Arnold succumbed to injuries sustained 10 days earlier when he was beaten by man seeking revenge against him. It is believed the assault occurred in a shoemaker's shop on Commerce Street.

In 1827, Watchman Gerrard Arnold was attempting to make an arrest at a home along the waterfront. As he approached the house, he encountered a woman trying to enter the same residence. He shoved her aside so that he could enter and continue with his lawful duties. The woman was outraged by this treatment and told her husband how the watchman had treated her. Watchman Arnold later apologized to the man for offending his wife.

However the man became drunk and retaliated against Watchman Arnold. On August 30, 1827, the man found Watchman Arnold in a business and brutally attacked him, beating and kicking him. Watchman Arnold was critically wounded and succumbed to his injuries on September 9, 1827.

The killer fled from Alexandria and President John Quincy Adams issued a proclamation offering a $250 reward for his capture. In October, he was captured in Ohio and returned to Alexandria. In November, he was tried for murder and convicted of manslaughter. His sentence is not known but he was fined $300.

Watchman Arnold, a widower, was survived by his children. His final resting place is unknown. He had served with the Alexandria Police Department for 12 years.

Survivors

Watchman Arnold, a widower, was survived by his children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
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August 2, 2026

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Tributes

199 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Watchman Arnold gave the Alexandria Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Alexandria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Alexandria Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Alexandria, VA
Platform Identity apd.alexandria.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 9, 1827
Tour of Duty 12 yrs
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Person

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Gerrard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  3. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1827, 1 officer in the United States was killed feloniously, the 197th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Gerrard had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Alexandria Police Department has 17 officers remembered here, Gerrard among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Watchman Gerrard Arnold

Alexandria Police Department · End of Watch September 9, 1827

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E

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