Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Barney Stiel and Sheriff William Preston, of the Desha County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed by two brothers they were attempting to arrest near Dumas.
As Deputy Stiel, Sheriff Preston, and several other deputies approached the suspects cabin one of the brothers opened fire killing Sheriff Preston instantly. As Deputy Stiel returned fire killing his sheriff's murderer, the other suspect shot and killed him. The other deputies shot and killed his killer and seriously wounded their father as he arrived on the scene firing his rifle at them.
The next morning the suspects father was seized from the local jail by a mob and hanged from a water tank just outside of town on the Iron Mountain Railroad.
Deputy Stiel was a veteran of the Spanish-American War and had served with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office for 11 years.
No passage of time will ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) September 26th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-E3A68C43- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Deputy Sheriff Stiel gave the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community, 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
Barney Stiel served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Barney Stiel is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 12.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Barney Stiel's cause is highlighted.
How Barney Stiel Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Barney Stiel is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Barney Stiel was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pulaski County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
