Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Henry Callanen was shot and killed while moonlighting at a local McDonald's. While going to make a bank deposit, he was shot and killed by one of two suspects who confronted him. 24 hours later a traffic stop of a Mustang driven by a 19-year-old who had committed a traffic violation and had no drivers license led to his arrest and a charge for Patrolman Callanen's murder. The murder weapon was found in his car. On November 7, 1993, the killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was released in leu of bond until his appeal was heard. While free he was arrested again on traffic charges. He lost his appeal and was sent to prison. On August 1, 2002, he applied for executive clemency, stating it was his companion who was the killer. Clemency was denied by Governor Mike Huskabee. On April 7, 1994, his accomplice, 18, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. As of December 15, 2022, the one denied clemency was in prison. While free, an Arkansas Sate Representative introduced a bill that led to the elimination of all post-conviction appeal bonds for convicted murderers. Patrolman Callanen had been with the Little Rock Police Department for 36 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his sister and niece.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-5CB43F0D- 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
36 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Callanen gave the Little Rock Police Department 36 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Callanen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Henry Lee Callanen 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 Little Rock Police Department, 19 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 82.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry Lee Callanen's cause is highlighted.
How Henry Lee Callanen Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry Lee Callanen is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry Lee Callanen was killed by handgun; .380 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Little Rock Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
