Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Officer James Payne was shot and killed while attempting to prevent two subjects from robbing a store on Lower Front Street at 2:30 am.
When Officer Payne received notification that two men were going to burglarize a local store, he went to investigate. When he saw them outside the Hafner Grocery Company, he placed them under arrest. One of the subjects pulled out a gun and shot Officer Payne twice. He returned fire, shooting five times, and striking one of the subjects. Both subjects fled the scene. Officer Payne's body was not found until 5 am.
Authorities found one subject, shot in the leg, with the gun used to kill Officer Payne. An angry mob lynched him. They arrested another subject and sent him to Little Rock to prevent another lynching. His inquest was held, but the results are unknown.
Officer Payne had served with the Newport Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-F27B2FBC- 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 Officer Payne served with the Newport Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Newport community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Officer Payne.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Officer James S. Payne 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 Newport Police Department, 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. James S. Payne's cause is highlighted.
How James S. Payne Compares
Offender Outcome
One hanged and one arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James S. Payne is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James S. Payne was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Newport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
