William H. Patton
Agency patch
Night Marshal

William H. Patton

Elaine Police Department — Elaine, AR
Felonious
End of Watch July 28, 1940
Age 45
The Vigil Panel 77 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Night Marshal William Patton was shot and killed while searching for a prowler at the home of a local doctor. The prowler, wounded by Marshal Patton's return fire, was apprehended a short time later after being trailed by bloodhounds.

The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair on June 6th, 1941.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-7B8ADE52
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.
Night Marshal Patton served with the Elaine Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Elaine community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Patton.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Elaine, AR
Platform Identity epd.phillips.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 28, 1940
Age 45
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Night Marshal William H. Patton 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 Elaine Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Elaine Police Department
2
of 2 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. William H. Patton's cause is highlighted.

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

How William H. Patton Compares

Age at Death
45
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William H. Patton is highlighted in Jul.

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. William H. Patton was killed by gun; unknown type.

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

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Elaine Police Department are honored on badge.nw.