Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Lem McPherson was shot and killed from ambush by a man who held a grudge against him.
The man had just been released from prison after serving a nine-month term. The man had been searching for Officer McPherson and when he located him, opened fire with a 12 gauge shotgun, striking him twice.
The man fled but was arrested the following day and charged with Policeman McPherson's murder. He was convicted of second-degree murder only 10 days later and sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Policeman McPherson had served with the Fayetteville Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-D18EC14F- 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.
Policeman McPherson gave the Fayetteville Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fayetteville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman McPherson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Lem McPherson 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 Fayetteville Police Department, 3 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lem McPherson's cause is highlighted.
How Lem McPherson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 21 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lem McPherson is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lem McPherson was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Fayetteville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
