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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Robert Arnow was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest a man for carrying a concealed weapon. He and a local police chief were arresting the man who the deputy knew and thought he could talk into surrendering peacefully. The deputy asked the suspect if he had a weapon and he replied, "Yes, I will give it to you," and then proceeded to fire five shots at Deputy Arnow with a .32 caliber pistol hidden under his coat. Deputy Arnow was hit four times, with one shot in the neck breaking his spinal column. Deputy Arnow fell against the police chief, who was able to return fire at the fleeing suspect. Deputy Arnow died June 20, 1921, in the Williams Sanitarium in Gainesville after undergoing surgery to locate the bullet.
Survivors
Deputy Arnow was survived by his wife, three sons, and his mother.
In Our Keeping
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Arnow served with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Gainesville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Arnow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Alachua County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 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 1921, 1 officer at Alachua County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 8 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1921, 248 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1921, 516 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
Who
Robert was 33. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Alachua County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34.8 and 46.3; the middle age was 42.
Robert was 33. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Robert was 33. 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 was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 16.7% of these deaths at Alachua County Sheriff's Office; December holds the most, 16.7%. Mondays: 16.7%.
June holds 6.3% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Mondays: 10.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Alachua County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Alachua County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Alachua County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
