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Incident
Sheriff Jefferson Morgan was shot and killed by an escaped convict while attempting to question the man on Main Street in Batesville. The suspect had escaped from the Izard County Jail three years earlier and had fled to Iowa. The man returned to Arkansas to visit family but was recognized by citizens and the sheriff was alerted. The sheriff located the man coming out of the City Hotel and asked him who he was. The suspect immediately began to run, pulled out a .38 caliber handgun, and shot Sheriff Morgan. A citizen who witnessed the shooting grabbed the sheriff's gun and he, along with other citizens, began to chase the suspect. The suspect became cornered in a barn and the citizens began shooting inside and threatened to burn it down. The suspect surrendered and was charged with Sheriff Morgan's murder. He was found guilty and hung for the crime on November 25th, 1904.
Survivors
Sheriff Morgan had served with the Independence County Sheriff's Department for two years and was survived by his wife.
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.
Sheriff Morgan gave the Independence County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Batesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Morgan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Independence County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Jeff is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Jeff is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeff 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 1904, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jeff was 31. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Jeff had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jeff 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. Jeff had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeff was 31. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jeff had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Thursdays: 18.1%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Independence County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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
Independence County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Jeff among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Independence County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
