Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Rufus Parkinson was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a suspect wanted for robbing a woman in Osceola, Arkansas. Patrolman Parkinson was walking his beat, the southern levee from Front Street to the Mississippi River, when a female stopped him and pointed out the suspect, who had robbed her of $15 and a watch. When the suspect saw Patrolman Parkinson approaching, he fled south on Beale Street. Patrolman Parkinson gave chase and at Beale Street and Clinton Street (Present day Wagner Place) a pedestrian was able to restrain the suspect. When Patrolman Parkinson approached, the suspect broke free from the pedestrian, drew a gun, shot Patrolman Parkinson in the left side, and fled. Despite his wound, Patrolman Parkinson continued to pursue the suspect, firing several shots at him. Patrolman Parkinson attempted to mount a civilian's horse at Beale Street and Front Street to continue the pursuit, but was unable to because of his wound. The suspect escaped. Patrolman Parkinson was taken to his home, where he died a few hours later from his wound. The suspect was captured in Arkansas four days later. He was convicted of Patrolman Parkinson's murder and sentenced to life in prison on January 22, 1895. Patrolman Parkinson had served with the Memphis Police Department for only 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-EC9B84FF- 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
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Parkinson served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Rufus Chalmers Parkinson 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Memphis Police Department, 53 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rufus Chalmers Parkinson's cause is highlighted.
How Rufus Chalmers Parkinson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rufus Chalmers Parkinson is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rufus Chalmers Parkinson was killed by handgun; pistol.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from Memphis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
