Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edward Virden was shot and killed inside the old city jail by a prisoner who was able to overpower and disarm him. The man had killed an automobile salesman and stole a car he was test driving in London, Kentucky, the previous day. The subject stole Patrolman Virden's service revolver and wallet and fled to Texas after shooting Patrolman Virden. A member of the Kingsville Police Department shot him during a traffic stop after the man pulled out Patrolman Virden's stolen revolver. He was extradited back to Arkansas where he was convicted of Patrolman Virden's murder and sentenced to life in the Arkansas State Prison. In 1968 he was granted a temporary furlough but failed to return and was charged with escape. He was recaptured in Kentucky on June 27th, 1974. As of 2021, he was still incarcerated and was Arkansas' longest-serving inmate. Patrolman Virden was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-7A346C9D- 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.
Patrolman Virden gave the Prescott Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Prescott 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
Edward Samuel Virden served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Edward Samuel Virden 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 Prescott Police Department, 2 of 2 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. Edward Samuel Virden's cause is highlighted.
How Edward Samuel Virden Compares
Offender Outcome
murder suspect
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward Samuel Virden is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward Samuel Virden was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Prescott Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
