Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Back succumbed to wounds sustained two nights earlier when he interrupted four brothers breaking into a local business. Three were apprehended a few days later. The fourth suspect was apprehended a week later in Sioux City, Iowa. He had a gun shot wound in his left arm from Policeman Back's return fire. He signed a confession stating that he was the one who shot Policeman Back. Two days later he died in a Sioux City hospital from gangrene and lockjaw.
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BO-US-SD-CE63E0A6- Stewardship
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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.
Policeman Back served with the De Smet Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the De Smet community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Back.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Arthur Christian Back 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 SD, 36 of 62 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58.1% of this state's fallen. That is 3.9 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur Christian Back's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur Christian Back Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur Christian Back is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur Christian Back was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.