Incident
Deputy Melvin Brackman and Deputy J.C. Crain were shot and killed in an ambush while attempting to arrest a bootlegger. The ambush occurred at the intersection of two rural county roads in southern Miller County.
The suspect was later apprehended. The suspect was convicted of one count of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on July 5, 1937.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-722A32D3- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Brackman served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Texarkana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Brackman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Melvin Brackman 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 Miller County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Melvin Brackman's cause is highlighted.
How Melvin Brackman Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1937
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Melvin Brackman is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Melvin Brackman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Miller County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.



