Incident
Lieutenant Arnold Poole was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant in Wickford. The suspect fought with Lieutenant Poole and shot him after he had fallen to the ground. The suspect was shot and killed by other troopers after being located a short time later. Lieutenant Poole was posthumously awarded the agency's State Police Service Ribbon. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island. Lieutenant Poole was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-RI-375B68ED- Stewardship
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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 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.
Lieutenant Poole served with the Rhode Island State Police.
Thank you for your service to the people of Rhode Island, 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
Arnold L. Poole served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Lieutenant Arnold L. Poole is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In RI, 25 of 55 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 45.5% of this state's fallen. That is 45.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Rhode Island State Police, 2 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 28.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arnold L. Poole's cause is highlighted.
How Arnold L. Poole Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arnold L. Poole is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arnold L. Poole was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Arnold L. Poole served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Arnold L. Poole’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Rhode Island State Police are honored on badge.nw.





