John P. Biggers
Agency patch
City Marshal

John P. Biggers

Walnut Ridge Police Department — Walnut Ridge, AR
Felonious
End of Watch October 30, 1912
Age 65
The Vigil Panel 27 ›
Gender Male

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

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-47F4EE23
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 John. 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.
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

Type Police Department
Location Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County, AR
Platform Identity wrpd.lawrence.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 30, 1912
Age 65
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

City Marshal John P. Biggers 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%.

Walnut Ridge Police Department
1
of 1 officers
100% Felonious
AR — Statewide
249
of 372 officers
66.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John P. Biggers's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How John P. Biggers Compares

Age at Death
65
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John P. Biggers is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John P. Biggers was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Others Who Wore This Badge

0 officers from Walnut Ridge Police Department are honored on badge.nw.