Prev
Incident
Marshal Hickey Steelman was shot and killed from ambush by a man who held a grudge against him. Marshal Steelman had shot and wounded the suspect one year earlier when he attempted to arrest him on a charge of drunkenness. On May 5th, 1948, the suspect, 33, was convicted of Marshal Steelman's murder and sentenced to life. Marshal Steelman had served with the Bearden Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtprw1rbcjwcern33h2wm- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Hickey. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Marshal Steelman gave the Bearden Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bearden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Marshal Steelman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bearden Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Hickey is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Hickey is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Hickey 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 1948, 4 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Hickey was 44. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Hickey had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Hickey was 44. 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. Hickey had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Hickey was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Hickey had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Sundays: 11.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Bearden Police Department. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Bearden Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Hickey among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bearden Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
