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Incident
Officer Arnold Strickland and Corporal Crump were shot and killed at 5:30 am when a suspect grabbed the service weapon of one of the officers and opened fire.
The officers were booking the suspect at the police department for operating a stolen vehicle when the incident occurred. Besides killing both officers, the suspect also shot and killed Dispatcher Leslie "Ace" Mealer, who was in the dispatcher's office at the time. The suspect then stole a patrol car and fled the scene. The Lowndes County Sheriff's Office, Mississippi, apprehended the subject three hours later. The suspect was convicted of capital murder and was sentenced to death on October 6, 2005.
The Fayette Police Department is a 14-person law enforcement agency.
Officer Strickland had 26 years of law enforcement experience and had served with the Fayette Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three sons, two granddaughters, and three brothers.
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
26 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Strickland gave the Fayette Police Department 26 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Strickland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fayette Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Arnold is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Arnold is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Arnold 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 2003, 3 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Arnold was 55. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Arnold had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Arnold was 55. 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. Arnold had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Arnold was 55. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Arnold had served 26 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Fayette Police Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Fayette Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Arnold among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fayette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
