J. C. Crain

Miller County Sheriff's Office — Texarkana, AR

Felonious

End of Watch October 21, 1932

The Vigil Panel 65 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Deputy Crain and Deputy Melvin Brackman were shot and killed in an ambush while attempting to arrest a bootlegger. The ambush occurred at the intersection of two rural county roads in southern Miller County. Deputy Crain succumbed to his wounds two days after the shooting. The suspect was later apprehended. The suspect was convicted of one count of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled July 5, 1937.

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Permanent identifier: BO-US-AR-22196B87
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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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Crain served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Texarkana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Crain.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Miller County Sheriff's Office

Location Texarkana, AR

Platform Identity mcso.miller.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 21, 1932

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Paroled In 1937

Deputy Sheriff J. C. Crain 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 Miller County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.

Miller County Sheriff's Office

of 11 officers

81.8% Felonious

AR — Statewide

249

of 372 officers

66.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious