Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff William Preston and Deputy Sheriff Barney Stiel, of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed by two brothers they were attempting to arrest near Dumas.
As Sheriff Preston and several of his deputies approached the suspect's cabin one of the brothers opened fire killing the sheriff instantly. As Deputy Stiel returned fire killing his sheriff's murderer the other suspect opened fire killing him. The other deputies shot and killed his killer and shot and seriously wounded their father as he arrived on the scene firing his rifle at them.
The next morning the suspect's father was seized from the local jail by a mob and hanged from a water tank just outside of town on the Iron Mountain Railroad.
Sheriff William Preston and Deputy Sheriff Barney Stiel, of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, were shot and killed by two brothers they were attempting to arrest near Dumas.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-C3F58341- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Preston served with the Desha County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Arkansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Preston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff William D. Preston 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 Desha County Sheriff's Dept., 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. William D. Preston's cause is highlighted.
How William D. Preston Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William D. Preston is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William D. Preston was killed by handgun; revolver.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Desha County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
