Ray A. Campbell
Incident
Chief Deputy Ray Campbell was shot and killed as he and another deputy were transporting two men, charged with cattle theft, from Little Rock to Forrest City.
A witness stated he saw gunfire in their patrol car on the Memphis-Little Rock Highway and then saw two men run from the vehicle. One of the suspects managed to gain control of the other officers service weapon and opened fire, killing Chief Deputy Campbell and critically wounding the other officer. Both suspects were apprehended near Forrest City several hours later.
Both suspects were convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair on July 27th, 1951 and November 23rd, 1951.
Chief Deputy Campbell was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Chief Deputy Campbell was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-16E5C9A4- 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.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Campbell served with the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Forrest City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Campbell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief Deputy Sheriff Ray A. Campbell 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 St. Francis County Sheriff's Office, 4 of 4 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. Ray A. Campbell's cause is highlighted.
How Ray A. Campbell Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1951
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ray A. Campbell is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ray A. Campbell was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from St. Francis County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

