Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Chief Frank Williford was shot and killed after responding to a disturbance at a hotel at Washington Street and Monroe Avenue. When he arrived, he recognized the suspect as a transient he had previously dealt with. As he was walking the man from the cafe portion of the hotel to the lobby, the man suddenly turned and fired a semi-automatic pistol, striking Night Chief Williford several times. The suspect ran to his hotel room where he was later apprehended. Night Chief Williford was transported to Ouachita County Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. On April 4, 1952, the 62-year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He died at the state sanatorium in Logan of tuberculosis on November 26, 1967.
Survivors
Night Chief Williford is survived by his wife and two young sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-D5D14AAA- 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.
Night Chief Williford served with the Camden Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Camden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Chief Williford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Chief Frank E. Williford 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 Camden Police Dept., 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank E. Williford's cause is highlighted.
How Frank E. Williford Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank E. Williford is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank E. Williford was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Camden Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
