Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Paul Mueller was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Highway 71, 1/2 mile south of West Fork at 11 pm. Chief Mueller had pulled the car over as a suspected drunk driver, and the occupants were two criminals who had just robbed the Pizza Hut in Fayetteville at gunpoint. One of the men had just been released from the federal penitentiary. While approaching the vehicle, the subjects opened fire on him, striking him in the chest. Before succumbing to his wounds, Chief Mueller was able to return fire and wounded one of the men. Chief Mueller was found by gasoline attendants next to his patrol car with lights still on and the engine still running. The second man fled but was shot and killed several days later in a shootout with officers. The wounded subject was found near Chief Mueller. Once shot, the second subject pushed him out of the vehicle onto an embankment. He was convicted of capital murder. Chief Mueller had served with the West Fork Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-A6567029- 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.
Chief of Police Mueller gave the West Fork Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the West Fork community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Mueller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Paul Herman Mueller 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Paul Herman Mueller's cause is highlighted.
How Paul Herman Mueller Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Paul Herman Mueller is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Paul Herman Mueller was killed by gun; unknown type.