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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
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Newport Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1914, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 46. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42.
James was 46. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
James was 46. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Sundays: 11.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Newport Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Newport Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Newport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
