Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Powers was shot and killed while confronting a gang of five men who were attempting to rob a bank. Sheriff Powers, who was in his apartment, heard the noise of two explosions, which were the result of the robbers' attempts to use nitroglycerin to blow open the bank's safe. As the sheriff rushed towards the bank he was fired upon by a lookout hiding in an alley between the bank and his apartment.
Sheriff Powers returned fire as he continued to confront the suspect. During the ensuing shootout he was struck twice and fatally wounded. Several citizens took him to this apartment where he succumbed to his wounds 30 minutes later.
All five suspects were eventually apprehended. Two of them were sentenced to death and executed in June of 1903. Two more were sentenced to life in prison, however, one of the men later escaped and was never recaptured. The fifth suspect was captured 28 years after Sheriff Powers' murder.
Sheriff Powers had served as sheriff for 14 years. He had previously served as the town marshal of Clarksville and as a constable for Spadra Township.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-68647B76- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Powers gave the Johnson County Sheriff's Office 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Clarksville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Powers.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John Hall Powers 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 97,756 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 Johnson County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Hall Powers's cause is highlighted.
How John Hall Powers Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Hall Powers is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Hall Powers was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Johnson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
