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Incident
Detective Sergeant Hay and Detective Sergeant George Moore were shot and killed as they investigated a dice game and other illegal gambling activities at 1005 Chester Street in Little Rock. As the two officers approached the home, three men opened fire on them without warning, striking Sergeant Moore in the head three times, killing him instantly. Sergeant Hay was shot six times and succumbed to his injuries two days later. All three suspects were taken into custody a short time later. The three suspects were convicted of Detective Hay's murder and sentenced to death on September 20, 1923. On February 1, 1924, the three suspects kidnaped the warden at the Arkansas State Prison and escaped. They forced the warden to give them his vehicle and then released him five miles from the prison. Five days later, two of the suspects were shot and killed, and the third one was wounded in a gunfight with a posse near Redfield, Arkansas. The third suspect was executed in the electric chair on April 18, 1924. One of the suspects in the murders was wanted in connection with the 1922 murder of Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, Sheriff's Deputy John Lung. Detective Sergeant Hay had served with the Little Rock Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.
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.
Detective Sergeant Hay gave the Little Rock Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Little Rock Police Department has lost 23 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Luther is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Luther is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Luther 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 1923, 2 officers at Little Rock Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 5 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Luther was 38. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Little Rock Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5. Luther had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Luther was 38. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Luther had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Luther was 38. 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. Luther had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Luther was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Luther had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 15.8% of these deaths at Little Rock Police Department; February holds the most, 15.8%. Thursdays: 15.8%.
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Thursdays: 18.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 82.6% of all 23 deaths at Little Rock Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 36.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Little Rock Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Luther among them.
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William L. Copeland
Dec 31, 1885
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W. T. Phillips
Aug 2, 1908
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William I. Campbell
Apr 18, 1911
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John O. Miller
Apr 23, 1911
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Sam D. Morgan
Oct 30, 1915
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Joe Erber
Jun 6, 1920
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Thomas D. Hudson
Aug 19, 1920
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John W. Cabiness
Aug 12, 1922
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George W. Moore
Jul 24, 1923
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Luther C. Hay
Jul 26, 1923
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Charles B. Faulkner
Jul 13, 1924
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Harvey L. Biggs
Jul 27, 1924
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Frank E. Swilling, Sr.
Dec 11, 1926
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Robert A. Johnson
Mar 23, 1930
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Samuel Neel McDermott
Sep 3, 1930
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Oscar F. Deubler
Jan 1, 1947
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Lloyd W. Worthy
Sep 2, 1967
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Alvin Joseph Free
Sep 27, 1970
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Noel Don McGuire
May 14, 1980
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David E. Barnett
Feb 13, 1991
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Henry Lee Callanen
May 15, 1993
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Joseph Tucker Fisher
Feb 7, 1995
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Jack David Cooper
Feb 2, 2002
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Little Rock Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
