Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Kirkland was shot and killed during a gun battle with several men he attempted to arrest for refusing to register for the draft.
As he and a posse approached the suspect's cabin near Hatfield gunfire erupted from the windows. Deputy Kirkland was killed instantly and another officer was wounded. The posse returned fire killing one of the men.
Seven men were taken into custody and charged with Deputy Kirkland's murder. Six were convicted of murder. One was executed in the electric chair on August 24, 1918. Another was sentenced to life and the other four were sentenced to 16, 15, 10, and three years respectively.
As he and a posse approached the suspect's cabin near Hatfield gunfire erupted from the windows. Deputy Kirkland was killed instantly and another officer was wounded. The posse returned fire killing one of the men.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-1E8975BB- 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 Charles. 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.
Deputy Sheriff Kirkland served with the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Mena community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Kirkland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Charles J. Kirkland 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 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 66.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Polk County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles J. Kirkland's cause is highlighted.
How Charles J. Kirkland Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles J. Kirkland is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles J. Kirkland was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Polk County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
