Rufus Chalmers Parkinson
Agency patch
Patrolman

Rufus Chalmers Parkinson

Memphis Police Department — Memphis, TN
Felonious
End of Watch November 2, 1894
Age 38
Tour of Duty 10 mo
Badge 137
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Rufus Parkinson was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a suspect wanted for robbing a woman in Osceola, Arkansas. Patrolman Parkinson was walking his beat, the southern levee from Front Street to the Mississippi River, when a female stopped him and pointed out the suspect, who had robbed her of $15 and a watch. When the suspect saw Patrolman Parkinson approaching, he fled south on Beale Street. Patrolman Parkinson gave chase and at Beale Street and Clinton Street (Present day Wagner Place) a pedestrian was able to restrain the suspect. When Patrolman Parkinson approached, the suspect broke free from the pedestrian, drew a gun, shot Patrolman Parkinson in the left side, and fled. Despite his wound, Patrolman Parkinson continued to pursue the suspect, firing several shots at him. Patrolman Parkinson attempted to mount a civilian's horse at Beale Street and Front Street to continue the pursuit, but was unable to because of his wound. The suspect escaped. Patrolman Parkinson was taken to his home, where he died a few hours later from his wound. The suspect was captured in Arkansas four days later. He was convicted of Patrolman Parkinson's murder and sentenced to life in prison on January 22, 1895. Patrolman Parkinson had served with the Memphis Police Department for only 10 months.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn7nd5xwqzax2s29n1wn
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Rufus. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Parkinson served with the Memphis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Memphis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Memphis, Shelby County, TN
Platform Identity mpd.shelby.tn.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 2, 1894
Tour of Duty 10 mo
Age 38
Badge Number 137
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Rufus is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1894, 70 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 103rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Rufus was 38. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Rufus had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Memphis Police Department has 94 officers remembered here, Rufus among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Rufus Chalmers Parkinson

Memphis Police Department · End of Watch November 2, 1894

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-W

↑