Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper William Brooks was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three federal fugitives who had escaped from the Monroe County Jail. He apprehended all three six blocks from the jail in Clarendon. He had all three handcuffed and lying on the ground when one produced a hidden handgun and shot him. The three were captured minutes later. Two suspects, 29 and 36, were charged with and convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. Trooper Brooks had served with the Arkansas State Police for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-9053F289- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Brooks gave the Arkansas State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arkansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Brooks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper William Ronnie Brooks III 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%.
At Arkansas State Police, 7 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Ronnie Brooks III's cause is highlighted.
How William Ronnie Brooks III Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Ronnie Brooks III is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Ronnie Brooks III was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Arkansas State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
