Roll of Honor

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Sheriff

Harold Gene Matthews

Lawrence County Sheriff's Office — Walnut Ridge, AR

Felonious

End of Watch June 3, 1983

Age 38

Badge 101

The Vigil Panel 127 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Sheriff Harold Matthews was shot and killed while participating in a raid to apprehended a fugitive wanted for the murders of Marshal Kenneth Muir and Deputy Marshal Robert Cheshire, of the United States Marshal's Service, in Medina, North Dakota. The suspect, who was a member of an anti-government organization, had fled to Arkansas and holed up in a home that built into a hillside. As Sheriff Matthews and several other officers entered the home shots were exchanged. One of the rounds struck Sheriff Matthews in an area not protected by his vest, causing a fatal wound. The suspect was also shot and killed in the same incident Sheriff Matthews was killed.

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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 Matthews served with the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Walnut Ridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Matthews.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Lawrence County Sheriff's Office

Location Walnut Ridge, AR

Platform Identity lcso.lawrence.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 3, 1983

Age 38

Badge Number 101

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle; Mini 14

Offender Shot and killed

Sheriff Harold Gene Matthews 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%.

Lawrence County Sheriff's Office

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

AR — Statewide

249

of 372 officers

66.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harold Gene Matthews's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Harold Gene Matthews Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold Gene Matthews is highlighted in Jun.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold Gene Matthews was killed by rifle; mini 14.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518