Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Lester Setser was shot and killed after taking a drunk man home. As he was leaving, the man shot him four times in the back. He was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect. On September 21, 1951, the suspect, 43, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Constable Setser was a World War II veteran and had served with the Decatur Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-7621EA27- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Constable Setser gave the Decatur Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Lester Kenneth Setser served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Constable Lester Kenneth Setser 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 Decatur Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lester Kenneth Setser's cause is highlighted.
How Lester Kenneth Setser Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lester Kenneth Setser is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lester Kenneth Setser was killed by handgun; luger.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
