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Incident
Corporal Joseph Cushman was accidentally shot and killed while performing training for a school shooting.
A group of officers were conducting training at a local junior high school when Corporal Cushman was shot in the head. All of the officers involved were wearing helmets and vests and were supposed to be using rubber bullets.
Corporal Cushman and a second instructor were demonstrating a drill to other officers when the other instructor's weapon discharged. The school year had already ended, and no students were present during the training exercise.
Corporal Cushman had been employed with the Arlington Police Department for four and one-half years and had been awarded Rookie of the Year in 1999. He had been promoted to Corporal the day before he was killed.
Corporal Cushman is survived by his fiancee and parents.
Survivors
Corporal Cushman is survived by his fiancee and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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 Cushman gave the Arlington Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Arlington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corporal Cushman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Arlington Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2001, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2001, 89 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 27. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Joseph was 27. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 27. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Joseph had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 11.3%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Arlington Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Arlington Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Arlington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
