Incident
Lieutenant Harold Atkinson was stabbed to death while assigned to the Missouri State Penitentiary. After he failed to turn in his radio a search was conducted for him. His body was found several hours later underneath a cell bunk with 69 stab wounds. Two inmates were convicted of Lieutenant Atkinson's murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Lieutenant Atkinson was a 24-year veteran of the Missouri Department of Corrections.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Atkinson gave the Missouri Department of Corrections 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Missouri. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Atkinson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Missouri Department of Corrections has lost 20 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Harold is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
Harold is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harold 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 1975, 1 officer at Missouri Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1905, with 2.
In 1975, 6 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1975, 163 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1975, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harold was 61. Of the 8 killed feloniously at Missouri Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 58 and 63; the middle age was 61.5. Harold had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 12.5 years.
Harold was 61. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Harold had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 61. 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. Harold had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 11.1% of these deaths at Missouri Department of Corrections; November holds the most, 22.2%. Mondays: 44.4%.
January holds 7.8% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 14.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 45% of all 20 deaths at Missouri Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 55.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.5% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Missouri Department of Corrections has 20 officers remembered here, Harold among them.
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William Bullard Jun 14, 1841
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Ephriam Allison
Nov 24, 1905
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John A. Clay Nov 24, 1905
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James W. Woods Mar 30, 1906
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Eli Jenkins Feb 28, 1918
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James Hart Feb 4, 1924
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Harold V. Atkinson
Jan 20, 1975
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Walter W. Farrow Jul 16, 1979
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Thomas Glenn Jackson, Sr.
Jul 3, 1983
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Rodney Charles Welch
Jan 14, 2002
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Debra Kay Collins
Mar 4, 2011
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Richard Allen Wright
Nov 19, 2020
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John Michael Bowe
Jan 27, 2021
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Leslie Lee Lentz
Jul 1, 2021
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Sonny Lee Orbin, Sr.
Jul 18, 2021
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Robert Lewis Welch, III
Jul 22, 2021
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Dennis Keith Bennett
Aug 12, 2021
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Jason Scott Pulliam
Oct 15, 2021
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John D. Luck
Dec 28, 2021
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Kelly Bernard Rolando
Oct 22, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
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