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Reuben J. Chappell
Incident
Watchman Chappell succumbed to a gunshot wound received almost two weeks earlier when he attempted to arrest a man who had fired a shot in public. It was suspected that members of a black gang murdered Watchman Chappell. In the days that followed hard feelings between the towns 300 black citizens and 3000 whites would develop. The tention exploded on August 18, 1901, when a 23-year-old white woman was murdered by an unknown subject. A riot resulted which ended with three blacks lynched, one killed, and the expulsion from town of the entire black population. Watchman Chappell was survived by his wife, four sons, and three daughters. He was a Confederate Civil War Veteran who served as a corporal with the 1st Tennessee Infantry, Company G. He was captured and held for a few days just before the war ended.
Survivors
Watchman Chappell was survived by his wife, four sons, and three daughters.
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. One record, 2 gates. Reuben 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.
Night Watchman Chappell gave the Pierce City Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Pierce City 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
Reuben J. Chappell served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pierce City Police Department has lost 5 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Reuben is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Reuben is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Reuben 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 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 76th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Reuben was 58. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Reuben had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Reuben was 58. 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. Reuben had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Reuben was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Reuben had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 11% of these deaths in MO, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 5 deaths at Pierce City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% 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 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Pierce City Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Reuben among them.
Military Service
Reuben J. Chappell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Reuben J. Chappell’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 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Pierce City Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
