James R. Hand

Pocahontas Police Department — Pocahontas, AR

Felonious

End of Watch March 14, 1982

Age 47

The Vigil Panel 125 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 3

Incident

Sergeant Hand was shot and killed at the Pocahontas Police Station by a juvenile perched in a nearby tree with a high-powered rifle. Another officer was able to return fire and killed the suspect.

Survivors

Sergeant Hand was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AR-7BFA05DC
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Hand served with the Pocahontas Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Pocahontas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Hand.

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

Agency

Department Pocahontas Police Department

Location Pocahontas, AR

Platform Identity ppd.randolph.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 14, 1982

Age 47

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Offender Shot and killed

Sergeant James R. Hand 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 Pocahontas Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Pocahontas Police Department

of 4 officers

100% Felonious

AR — Statewide

249

of 372 officers

66.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious