Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Arthur Staples was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two 16-year-old car thieves on Tower Hill Road, in North Kingstown. He had stopped the stolen vehicle for a traffic violation and determined that neither one had a valid license. As he drove the car back to the Wickford barracks one of the boys pulled out a gun and shot him in the back of the neck, killing him. The boys then dumped his body on the roadway and fled in the vehicle. They were arrested the following morning. The suspect who killed Trooper Staples was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole on November 3, 1954. Trooper Staples had served with the Rhode Island State Police for 18 months.
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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
You barely got started.
Trooper Staples gave the Rhode Island State Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Rhode Island. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Staples.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper Arthur L. Staples Jr. 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 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. Arthur L. Staples Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Arthur L. Staples Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur L. Staples Jr. is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur L. Staples Jr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Rhode Island State Police are honored on badge.nw.
