Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Back succumbed to wounds sustained two nights earlier when he interrupted four brothers breaking into a local business. Three were apprehended a few days later. The fourth suspect was apprehended a week later in Sioux City, Iowa. He had a gun shot wound in his left arm from Policeman Back's return fire. He signed a confession stating that he was the one who shot Policeman Back. Two days later he died in a Sioux City hospital from gangrene and lockjaw.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-SD-CE63E0A6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Arthur. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman Back served with the De Smet Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the De Smet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Back.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Arthur Christian Back 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In SD, 36 of 62 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this state's fallen. That is 58.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur Christian Back's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur Christian Back Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur Christian Back is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur Christian Back was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from De Smet Police Department are honored on badge.nw.