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Incident
Patrolman Jonathan Schmidt was shot and killed at approximately 11:30 pm as he and his sergeant made a traffic stop on Pine Avenue, near Cottonwood Manor.
The officers stopped a vehicle occupied by three individuals for operating without insurance. The officers removed the driver and placed him under arrest on a failure to appear warrant.
As Patrolman Schmidt opened the rear passenger door to remove the second male passenger, the man lunged at him and immediately opened fire. Patrolman Schmidt, who was shot in the neck, turned and pushed his sergeant out of the way before returning fire. The suspect was wounded by the return gunfire and taken into custody.
Patrolman Schmidt was taken to NEA Baptist Hospital, where he died from his wounds.
On July 26th, 2012, the subject who shot Patrolman Schmidt was convicted of capital murder. He was subsequently sentenced to death.
Patrolman Schmidt had served with the Trumann Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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.
Patrolman Schmidt gave the Trumann Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Trumann community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Schmidt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Trumann Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Jonathan is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Jonathan is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jonathan 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 2011, 1 officer in AR was killed feloniously, the 68th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 2011, 88 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 71st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2011, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jonathan was 30. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Jonathan had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Jonathan was 30. 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. Jonathan had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jonathan was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jonathan had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 10.8% of these deaths in AR, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Trumann Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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
Trumann Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Jonathan among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Trumann Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
