Incident
Detective Noel Don McGuire was shot and killed while working a vice detail. Detective McGuire had stopped a suspicious vehicle at Roosevelt and Arch Streets that ran a red light and questioned the subjects around 3:15 a.m. As he returned to his cruiser, one of the subjects shot him in the back, leg, and stomach. Detective McGuire was able to call for help on his radio. Unbeknownst to him, the suspects had just committed an armed robbery in a neighboring county, shooting the clerk. Both suspects were arrested five hours later at a roadblock in Oklahoma by state police officers. Both, 15 and 16, were wanted for questioning in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin about several crimes. The 15-year-old shooter and his 16-year-old accomplice were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. As of December 13, 2022, the 15-year-old, now 57, was in prison. He has committed 19 major disciplinary violations. Detective McGuire had served with the Little Rock Police Department for five years. He was survived by his parents. Among those in attendance at his funeral were then-governor and future U.S. President Bill Clinton. Don met with Gov. Clinton when he applied for a job with the Capitol and Governor's security force. In 1982, the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #17 changed its name to the Noel Don Mcguire Memorial Lodge# 17.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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 McGuire gave the Little Rock Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McGuire.
— 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.
Noel is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Noel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Noel 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 1980, 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 1980, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Noel was 23. 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. Noel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Noel was 23. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Noel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Noel was 23. 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. Noel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Noel was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Noel had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 10.5% of these deaths at Little Rock Police Department; February holds the most, 15.8%. Wednesdays: 21.1%.
May holds 6.8% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% 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 handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.9% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Little Rock Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Noel 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 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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