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Incident
Game Warden Ollie Mitts was shot when he and a federal game warden attempted to arrest a suspect on a warrant for fishing violations.
They located the man at his camp along the White River one mile north of Batesville. The man fired several shots at the wardens, striking Warden Mitts in the head and knocking him from their boat. The subject helped the other warden pull Warden Mitts from the river before surrendering.
Warden Mitts was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and died later that evening. The subject who shot him was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to six years in prison.
He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and sister.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two brothers, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp126h2hcprf716mqepm- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Game Warden Mitts served with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Mitts.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has lost 8 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Oliver is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Oliver is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Oliver 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 1937, 3 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1937, 123 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 41st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1937, 123 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oliver was 28. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42.
Oliver was 28. 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.
Oliver was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 37.5% of all 8 deaths at Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, the 2nd 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
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has 8 officers remembered here, Oliver among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Arkansas Game & Fish Commission are honored on badge.nw.
