Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal John Biggers was shot and killed while serving a warrant on a drunk man who was harassing his estranged wife at a street carnival during the county fair.
The woman went to the mayor and obtained a warrant for the man. As Marshal Biggers attempted to serve the warrant the man pulled out a revolver and shot him multiple times, killing him. One of the rounds also wounded a young boy who was standing in the crowd. The man was arrested and taken to Newport to avoid mob violence. He was convicted of Marshal Biggers' murder on December 26, 1912, and hanged on February 9, 1913.
Marshal Biggers was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Marshal Biggers was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
City Marshal Biggers served with the Walnut Ridge Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Walnut Ridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Biggers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal John P. Biggers 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John P. Biggers's cause is highlighted.
How John P. Biggers Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1913
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John P. Biggers is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John P. Biggers was killed by handgun.