Incident
Detective Sam Morgan was shot and killed in a shootout on West 12th Street while he and other officers attempted to arrest a subject. The man was able to gain control of another officer's handgun and shot Detective Morgan. The subject was then killed in a hand-to-hand struggle with Detective Morgan. Detective Morgan had served with the Little Rock Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Detective Morgan gave the Little Rock Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Morgan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Little Rock Police Department has lost 23 officers; 19 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 27,551 remembered there.
Sam 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 1915, 1 officer at Little Rock Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 16 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
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.
Who
Sam was 55. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Little Rock Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5. Sam had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Sam was 55. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Sam had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Sam was 55. 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. Sam had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sam was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Sam had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 5.3% of these deaths at Little Rock Police Department; February holds the most, 15.8%. Saturdays: 21.1%.
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Saturdays: 16.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 82.6% of all 23 deaths at Little Rock Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 21.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Little Rock Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Sam among them.
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William L. Copeland
Dec 31, 1885
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W. T. Phillips
Aug 2, 1908
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William I. Campbell
Apr 18, 1911
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John O. Miller
Apr 23, 1911
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Sam D. Morgan
Oct 30, 1915
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Joe Erber
Jun 6, 1920
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Thomas D. Hudson
Aug 19, 1920
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John W. Cabiness
Aug 12, 1922
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George W. Moore
Jul 24, 1923
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Luther C. Hay
Jul 26, 1923
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Charles B. Faulkner
Jul 13, 1924
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Harvey L. Biggs
Jul 27, 1924
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Frank E. Swilling, Sr.
Dec 11, 1926
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Robert A. Johnson
Mar 23, 1930
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Samuel Neel McDermott
Sep 3, 1930
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Oscar F. Deubler
Jan 1, 1947
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Lloyd W. Worthy
Sep 2, 1967
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Alvin Joseph Free
Sep 27, 1970
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Noel Don McGuire
May 14, 1980
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David E. Barnett
Feb 13, 1991
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Henry Lee Callanen
May 15, 1993
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Joseph Tucker Fisher
Feb 7, 1995
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Jack David Cooper
Feb 2, 2002
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
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