Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Tennessee Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Shot and killed
Sheriff Sam Mauldin was shot and killed as he and several officers raided a blind tiger on the Mississippi River's Island 37.
When the posse arrived to raid the island the occupants contested their authority because the jurisdiction of the land was being contested between Arkansas and Tennessee. During the ensuing encounter the posse and occupants exchanged fire. Sheriff Mauldin and one of the occupants were killed. The occupants then surrendered after running out of ammunition.
More than 20 men and women were arrested and held in connection with Sheriff Mauldin's murder. The subject who shot Sheriff Mauldin was taken to jail but later died of injuries sustained in the shootout. The owner of the blind tiger was also shot and killed when a mob of over 50 citizens broke into the jail to lynch him.
Of the others who were apprehended, one died in jail from pneumonia, another was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 21 years, and charges against the others were dismissed.
A Supreme Court ruling later determined that Island 37 was part of Tennessee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-E08FEFB1- 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.
Sheriff Mauldin 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, Sheriff Mauldin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Sam D. Mauldin 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 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. Sam D. Mauldin's cause is highlighted.
How Sam D. Mauldin Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sam D. Mauldin is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sam D. Mauldin was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Mississippi County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
