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Incident
Detective Sergeant Neel McDermott succumbed to injuries received one week earlier while trying to apprehend two of six escapees from the Pulaski County Jail. He attempted to arrest the two suspects behind the National Cemetary when he was shot. The suspect who shot Detective Sergeant McDermott was sentenced to death but later had his sentence commuted to life. On August 18, 1933, he was shot and killed when he attempted to escape from Tucker Prison Farm. Detective Sergeant McDermott had served with the Little Rock Police Department for two years and previously served as a Deputy Sheriff for at least two years. He was survived by his expectant wife and one daughter. His second daughter was born a few months after his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and one daughter.
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 McDermott gave the Little Rock Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant McDermott.
— 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.
Samuel is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel 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 1930, 1 officer at Little Rock Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 16 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 2.
In 1930, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1930, 241 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 31. 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. Samuel had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Samuel was 31. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Samuel had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Samuel was 31. 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. Samuel had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 15.8% of these deaths at Little Rock Police Department; February holds the most, 15.8%. Wednesdays: 21.1%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
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 52% of all 33,917 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, Samuel 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 16-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.
