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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Roy Curtis was shot and mortally wounded in West Memphis by a man he attempted to arrest. Deputy Curtis died in a Memphis hospital four days later.
The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair on December 1st, 1944.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Curtis served with the Crittenden County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the West Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Curtis.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Crittenden County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Roy 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 1944, 2 officers at Crittenden County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1944, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1944, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1944, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at Crittenden County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 16.7%.
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Crittenden County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 33.3% 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
Crittenden County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, Roy among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Crittenden County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.