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Incident
Detective Sam Arnold succumbed to injuries sustained two days earlier while he and another detective were involved in a vehicle pursuit of a burglary suspect on Pierce Avenue.
The patrol car the detectives were driving overturned, causing Detective Arnold to suffer a skull fracture. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries two days later.
Detective Arnold had served with the Macon Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and seven siblings.
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 Arnold gave the Macon Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Macon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Arnold.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Macon Police Department has lost 12 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Sam is one of 264 officers lost to accidents in GA, 29.2% of the 905 remembered there.
Sam is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Sam is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1927, 1 officer at Macon Police Department was lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 2.
In 1927, 3 officers in GA were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 98 years on record. The heaviest was 1968, with 8.
In 1927, 114 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 2nd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1927, 119 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Sam was 48. Of the 5 lost to accidents at Macon Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 47; the middle age was 46. Sam had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Sam was 48. Of the 251 lost to accidents in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Sam had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sam was 48. 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. Sam had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Sam was 48. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Sam had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 16.7% of these deaths at Macon Police Department; October holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 16.7%.
December holds 12.5% of these deaths in GA, more than any other month. Thursdays: 16.3%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 12 deaths at Macon Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.2% of all 905 deaths in GA, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 14.8% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Macon Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Sam among them.
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Thomas Fletcher Thompson Jan 2, 1921
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Sam B. Arnold Dec 15, 1927
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Carl E. Leonard Jun 20, 1934
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Robert L. Smith Jul 22, 1934
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J. M. Dopson May 11, 1938
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J. Grady Favors
Aug 20, 1942
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Walter L. O'Cain Jun 11, 1948
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Thomas Roscoe Hinson Jun 21, 1965
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Kenneth G. Howe Oct 6, 1967
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Donald James Mander
Aug 23, 1986
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Walter Lee Harden, Sr.
May 11, 1987
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Preston Kinney Jones
Oct 27, 1989
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Macon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
