Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Ferguson was shot and killed while trying to arrest a person on a warrant.
At approximately 1:30 pm, Deputy Sheriff Ferguson and another deputy went to serve a warrant for illicit liquor dealing along the banks of the Mississippi River. They noticed the subject in a small boat along the shoreline, having just come across the Mississippi River from the Tennessee side. The subject refused to go with the deputies. As Deputy Ferguson was getting onto the boat, the subject opened fire and struck him. He fell off the side of the boat and into the river. The other deputy returned fire but missed. He was shot in the jaw and survived his wounds.
The subject fled to the Tennessee side of the river. It was reported by the deputy that Deputy Ferguson was holding onto a rope attached to the boat. The suspect used an oar to make him release his grip on the rope. Deputy Ferguson drifted down the river before going under. It would be a couple of weeks before his body was found.
The subject was captured in Tennessee to be extradited to Arkansas. Due to safety concerns for the subject, the Arkansas governor sent about a dozen National Guard soldiers to escort him to Mississippi County. He was found guilty of murder and publicly executed by hanging.
Deputy Ferguson was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Deputy Ferguson was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-CB3DD7D3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Ferguson served with the Mississippi County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Luxora community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Ferguson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Robert L. Ferguson is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 13 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Mississippi County Sheriff's Office, 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. Robert L. Ferguson's cause is highlighted.
How Robert L. Ferguson Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Ferguson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Ferguson was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mississippi County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
