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Ray A. Campbell
Incident
Chief Deputy Ray Campbell was shot and killed as he and another deputy were transporting two men, charged with cattle theft, from Little Rock to Forrest City.
A witness stated he saw gunfire in their patrol car on the Memphis-Little Rock Highway and then saw two men run from the vehicle. One of the suspects managed to gain control of the other officers service weapon and opened fire, killing Chief Deputy Campbell and critically wounding the other officer. Both suspects were apprehended near Forrest City several hours later.
Both suspects were convicted of first degree murder and executed in the electric chair on July 27th, 1951 and November 23rd, 1951.
Chief Deputy Campbell was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Chief Deputy Campbell was survived by his wife and son.
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.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Campbell served with the St. Francis County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Forrest City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Deputy Sheriff Campbell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Francis County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ray is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1950, 1 officer in AR was killed feloniously, the 68th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1950, 66 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1950, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 42. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Ray was 42. 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.
Ray was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Thursdays: 18.1%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at St. Francis County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, 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 officer's handgun, in 6% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
St. Francis County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 25-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from St. Francis County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
