Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Donald Arnold was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery at a local service station. He routinely stopped at the station during his shift to check on the graveyard shift employees. When he arrived at the service station, four suspects took the attendant, 54, and hid in the bathroom. As Sergeant Arnold walked through the building, one of the suspects fired through the open door, striking Sergeant Arnold eight times. He was found with his service revolver still in its holster. The suspects then shot the attendant six times and fled the scene. On May 19, 1970, two suspects, 23 and 15, were arrested and charged in connection with the two murders. One suspect, 15, gave this account of what happened. He and four others decided to the service station attendant because he was there alone. Gunfire broke out after the unexpected arrival of Sergeant Arnold. They fled the scene, but minutes later the old car they were in broke down. Two in the party forced their was into a Sherman home and kidnapped a man, his wife, and their baby. The forced the couple to drive them to Dallas where the were released unharmed. Police were notified and an all out manhunt began. On December 8, 1972, the other two, both 23, were apprehended and charged with Sergeant Arnold's and the attendants murder. They were also charge with murder and robbery of a grocery store owner in Denison on May 29, 1972. Sergeant Arnold had served with the Sherman Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three young daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-B8CCC3B8- 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.
Sergeant Arnold gave the Sherman Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sherman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Arnold.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Donald Clark Arnold 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Sherman 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. Donald Clark Arnold's cause is highlighted.
How Donald Clark Arnold Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald Clark Arnold is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald Clark Arnold was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Sherman Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
