Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Richard Choate was shot and killed as he and the police chief escorted a robbery suspect to a location where the man claimed to have hidden stolen property.
Without warning, the subject produced a concealed handgun and shot Patrolman Choate in the abdomen six times. The suspect was taken from the Miller County Jail by an angry mob and lynched.
Patrolman Choate had served with the Texarkana Police Department for ten years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-ACA4167E- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Choate gave the Texarkana Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Texarkana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Choate.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Richard Choate 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 97,756 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%.
At Texarkana Police Department, 3 of 3 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. Richard Choate's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Choate Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Choate is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Texarkana Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
