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Incident
Lieutenant Opie McPherson was accidentally shot and killed during a SWAT training exercise at the Cummins Unit.
Survivors
He was survived by a wife and two children.
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.
Lieutenant McPherson served with the Arkansas Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arkansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant McPherson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Arkansas Department of Corrections has lost 7 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Ronald is one of 92 officers lost to accidents in AR, 24.7% of the 372 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ronald is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 1 officer in AR was lost to accidents, the 23rd heaviest of 55 years on record. The heaviest was 1998, with 7.
In 1979, 70 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1979, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ronald was 27. Of the 87 lost to accidents in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50.5; the middle age was 39.
Ronald was 27. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Ronald was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
May holds 9.8% of these deaths in AR; July holds the most, 13%. Wednesdays: 10.9%.
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
May holds 8.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 28.6% of all 7 deaths at Arkansas Department of Corrections, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 24.7% of all 372 deaths in AR, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Arkansas Department of Corrections has 7 officers remembered here, Ronald among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Arkansas Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
