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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Malachi Thacker was shot and killed while he and another deputy served a warrant on a juvenile at the boy's home.
Malachi T. Thacker was appointed as a Special Deputy on the afternoon of December 27, 1929. Thacker, who was a United States Postal Carrier, accompanied Deputy Robert Gatlin and Deputy Arthur “Poss” Mitchell, to apprehend a mentally ill man reportedly causing disturbances in the Waltreak Community.
While they were handcuffing the boy, the father opened a door to the room and shot Deputy Thacker with a shotgun.
Deputy Thacker was survived by his wife, four children, four brothers, and a sister.
Survivors
Deputy Thacker was survived by his wife, four children, four brothers, and a sister.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Thacker served with the Yell County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Danville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Thacker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yell County Sheriff's Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Malachi is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Malachi is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Malachi is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 2 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Malachi was 36. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Malachi had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Malachi was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Malachi had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Malachi was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Malachi had served 0 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Fridays: 13.3%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Yell County Sheriff's 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Yell County Sheriff's Department has 2 officers remembered here, Malachi among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Yell County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
