Luther C. Hay

Little Rock Police Department — Little Rock, AR

Felonious

End of Watch July 26, 1923

Age 38

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

The Vigil Panel 45 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 22

Incident

Detective Sergeant Hay and Detective Sergeant George Moore were shot and killed as they investigated a dice game and other illegal gambling activities at 1005 Chester Street in Little Rock. As the two officers approached the home, three men opened fire on them without warning, striking Sergeant Moore in the head three times, killing him instantly. Sergeant Hay was shot six times and succumbed to his injuries two days later. All three suspects were taken into custody a short time later. The three suspects were convicted of Detective Hay's murder and sentenced to death on September 20, 1923. On February 1, 1924, the three suspects kidnaped the warden at the Arkansas State Prison and escaped. They forced the warden to give them his vehicle and then released him five miles from the prison. Five days later, two of the suspects were shot and killed, and the third one was wounded in a gunfight with a posse near Redfield, Arkansas. The third suspect was executed in the electric chair on April 18, 1924. One of the suspects in the murders was wanted in connection with the 1922 murder of Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Deputy John Lung. Detective Sergeant Hay had served with the Little Rock Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AR-6841224C
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Hay gave the Little Rock Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hay.

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

Agency

Department Little Rock Police Department

Location Little Rock, AR

Platform Identity lrpd.pulaski.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 26, 1923

Tour of Duty 6 yrs

Age 38

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Two shot and killed; One executed

Detective Sergeant Luther C. Hay 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.

Little Rock Police Department

of 23 officers

82.6% Felonious

AR — Statewide

249

of 372 officers

66.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious