Incident
Officer Joe Erber was shot and killed after responding to a drunk and disturbance call to a house boat on the river near Lincoln Street. The suspect fled the scene in a motor boat with his two young children but was apprehended several days later. The suspect was sentenced to life and released in 1930. Officer Erber had been with the agency for 27 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and five daughters.
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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Erber gave the Little Rock Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Erber.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Little Rock Police Department has lost 23 officers; 19 of them killed feloniously.
Joe is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joe 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 1920, 2 officers at Little Rock Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1920, 7 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 59. Of the 18 killed feloniously at Little Rock Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 39.5; the middle age was 32.5. Joe had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Joe was 59. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Joe had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Joe was 59. 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. Joe had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 59. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 27 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 5.3% of these deaths at Little Rock Police Department; February holds the most, 15.8%. Sundays: 26.3%.
June holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Sundays: 11.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 82.6% of all 23 deaths at Little Rock Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 36.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 19.3% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Little Rock Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
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William L. Copeland
Dec 31, 1885
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W. T. Phillips
Aug 2, 1908
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William I. Campbell
Apr 18, 1911
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John O. Miller
Apr 23, 1911
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Sam D. Morgan
Oct 30, 1915
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Joe Erber
Jun 6, 1920
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Thomas D. Hudson
Aug 19, 1920
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John W. Cabiness
Aug 12, 1922
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George W. Moore
Jul 24, 1923
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Luther C. Hay
Jul 26, 1923
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Charles B. Faulkner
Jul 13, 1924
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Harvey L. Biggs
Jul 27, 1924
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Frank E. Swilling, Sr.
Dec 11, 1926
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Robert A. Johnson
Mar 23, 1930
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Samuel Neel McDermott
Sep 3, 1930
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Oscar F. Deubler
Jan 1, 1947
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Lloyd W. Worthy
Sep 2, 1967
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Alvin Joseph Free
Sep 27, 1970
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Noel Don McGuire
May 14, 1980
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David E. Barnett
Feb 13, 1991
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Henry Lee Callanen
May 15, 1993
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Joseph Tucker Fisher
Feb 7, 1995
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Jack David Cooper
Feb 2, 2002
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 64-W
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