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Incident
Corporal Robert Klein was shot and killed by an escaped convict at 11:45 pm. Corporal Klein and another trooper were investigating a truck that had been reported stolen 30 minutes earlier. The convicts had broken into a home, tied up the elderly occupants, stolen several items, including guns, and broken into a neighboring house. As Corporal Klein was inspecting the truck, a shot was fired, and Corporal Klein fell to the ground. The other trooper fired in the direction of the blast. The two escaped convicts hid in a greenhouse and attic of a home until they surrendered around 5 am. The killer was convicted of Corporal Klein's murder and sentenced to death; he was executed on May 7, 1992. The other convict was sentenced to 86 years. Corporal Klein had served with the Arkansas State Police for 12 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three sons, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Corporal Klein gave the Arkansas State Police 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Arkansas. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Klein.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Arkansas State Police has lost 23 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 2 officers at Arkansas State Police were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 5 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 39. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Arkansas State Police whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 38; the middle age was 35. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Robert was 39. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Robert was 39. 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. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 14.3% of these deaths at Arkansas State Police; September holds the most, 28.6%. Mondays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.2% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Mondays: 12.9%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 30.4% of all 23 deaths at Arkansas State Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 9.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Arkansas State Police has 23 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
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Algin Sidney Pavatt
Sep 25, 1948
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Ermon Boyce Cox
Aug 17, 1958
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Elmer Glen Bradshaw Dec 11, 1965
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Harry F. Locke
Sep 24, 1966
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Allen Harvie Bufford
Jul 27, 1969
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William Ronnie Brooks, III
Feb 27, 1975
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Kelly Ray Pigue
Dec 8, 1977
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Frederick Glen Bailey
Sep 5, 1980
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William L. Rose, Jr.
Dec 28, 1982
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Louis Perry Bryant
Jun 30, 1984
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Robert Whittington Klein
Oct 15, 1984
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Phillip Gene Ostermann
Aug 10, 1985
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Charles Michael Bassing
Jul 24, 1986
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Wilson A. Atkins, Jr.
Jul 3, 1988
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Clark Kent Simpson
Feb 18, 1989
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John Mack Scarberough
Sep 2, 1998
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Thomas Allen Craig
Dec 14, 2000
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Herbert James Smith
Feb 14, 2001
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Jimmie Harold White, II
Jun 1, 2002
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Mark Wesley Carthron
Sep 12, 2005
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Richard C. LeBow
Feb 4, 2008
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Jeff D. Hust
May 2, 2017
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Michael R. Springer
Feb 11, 2022
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
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