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Incident
Sheriff Walter Harris was shot and killed as he and his deputies were raiding a liquor still near Texarkana.
His killer surrendered to the Little River County sheriff five days later. On December 11th, 1931, the 19-year-old subject was convicted of Sheriff Harris' murder and sentenced to life. On April 27th, 1935, he escaped with another prisoner from Tucker Prison Farm in Jefferson County. Three weeks later, he was shot and wounded in the shoulder by officers in Idabel, Oklahoma, when they attempted to rob the Idabel National Bank. He died in the McCurtain County Jail from traumatic pneumonia caused by the bullet wound three days later.
Sheriff Harris had served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office for 30 years and as Sheriff for seven months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Sheriff Harris gave the Miller County Sheriff's Office 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Texarkana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Harris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Miller County Sheriff's Office has lost 11 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Walter is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Walter is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Walter 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 1931, 1 officer at Miller County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 3.
In 1931, 8 officers in AR were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Walter was 54. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Miller County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 41.5 and 49.5; the middle age was 47. Walter had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Walter was 54. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Walter had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Walter was 54. 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. Walter had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Walter was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Walter had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 11.1% of these deaths at Miller County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 11.1%.
July holds 8.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Tuesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 11 deaths at Miller County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% 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
Miller County Sheriff's Office has 11 officers remembered here, Walter among them.
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Elisha Franklin Barber Oct 30, 1925
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Robert D. Smith Nov 2, 1925
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Lucien C. Adams, Jr. Mar 26, 1930
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Walter S. Harris
Jul 28, 1931
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Thomas Asbury Quillin Aug 31, 1932
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Melvin Brackman
Oct 19, 1932
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J. C. Crain Oct 21, 1932
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William Martin Greer Jun 1, 1939
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Clarence A. Anderson
Mar 10, 1948
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Charles E. Barnes, Sr.
Mar 31, 1984
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Lisa Anne Mauldin
Dec 18, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Miller County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
