A large crowd gathered on the grounds of the Sharp County Courthouse May 7 to pay their respects during the annual Fallen Officers Memorial Ceremony at the Sharp County Courthouse.
Since its inception, the memorial has been primarily focused on the loss of Sargent Jeff Richardson, a Cave City police officer who lost his life in the line of duty in 1993, while attempting to aid a Sharp County Deputy in a pursuit.
For those who may have visited the memorial in recent days however; they may have noticed a second name has appeared on the monument which holds its position in front of the courthouse.
“Sometimes good things take a long time to come to light, but not usually 110 years. This year we are adding the name of a man who died in the line of duty to our fallen officer monument. Even though it was over a century ago, the struggles then were very real just as they are today,” Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell said. “Rufas King Arnold also known as RK answered that call at the Hargrove hotel just a few miles down the road at Center, Arkansas.”
Russell said Arnold born in the state of Kentucky in 1845 where he served in the Confederate Army under General John Hunt Morgan.
He later moved to Sharp County in 1879 and served as a county land surveyor and an attorney until his death at the age of 66.
“Volunteering his services as many did to law enforcement. Arnold served as a deputy to the then sheriff and was summoned from his home after a bank robbery went bad in Moutnain Home,” Russell said.
The would be robbers were spotted traveling through Izard County and at the time, Arnold and Deputy Bill Jackson began tracking the robbers.
“He and Deputy Bill Jackson trailed them on horseback into Sharp County at a hotel where they refused to surrender. Gunfire was exchanged ultimately killing Arnold,” Russell said. “He was the grandfather of the lontime coutny judge Frank Arnold generations later, his family still lives in the area.
It is our honor today to show the longtime overdue respect to the Arnold family for the sacrices made over a century ago. To have his name chizled in our marble monument. Deputy Arnold is buried in Evening Shade.”
Russell then turned his focus to the families of the fallen officers being recognized.
“Let us also remember, Sgt. Jeff Richardson of the Cave City Police Departmeutn who was killed in the line of duty May 21, 1993 as a result of an automobile crash on US 167 while responding to assist a Sharp County Sheriff’s Deputy who was involved in a vehicle persuit,” Russell said.
Rep. Bart Schulz was then introduced and spoke of his appreciateion of law inforcement officers, also providing statistics on the number of lives lost in the line of duty in recent months.
“So far in 2024, in America, there have been 56 line of duty deaths. In 2023, there were 137; even one is too much,” Schulz said. “To these officer’s families, I want to say, on belhalf of a grateful county, state and nation, thank you, and you are in our daily prayers.”
Schulz then shared an item wrtiten by the late Paul Harvey which remains relevant today.
“POLICEMAN
A police man is a composite of what all men are, I guess, the mingling of saint and sinner, dust and deity.
Culled statistics wave the fan over the stinkers, underscoring instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are “NEWS”. What they really mean is, these instances are exceptional, unusual, and NOT COMMONPLACE.
Buried under the froth is the fact: and the fact is that LESS THAN ONE HALF ON ONE PERCENT OF POLICE MISFIT THAT UNIFORM. That is better average than you’d find among the clergy!
What’s the police man made of? He, of all men is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature, who is “SIR” to his face, and “PIG” or worse behind his back.
He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he has won. But… if the police man is neat, he’s conceited; if he’s careless; he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant; he’s flirting, if he’s not, he’s a grouch.
He must make an INSTANT decision which would require MONTHS for a lawyer to make.
But…if he hurries; he’s careless, if he is deliberate; he’s lazy. He must be the first to an accident, and infallible with his diagnosis. He must be able to Start breathing, STOP bleeding, Tie a splint, and above all, be sure the victim goes home WITHOUT a limp, OR expect to be sued.
The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men, twice his size, without damaging his uniform or without being “brutal”. If you hit him; he’s a coward, if he hits you; he’s a bully.
A police man must know EVERYTHING, and not tell. He must know where all the sin is, and not partake.
A police man must, from a single strand of hair, be able to describe a crime, the weapon, and the criminal-and tell you where the criminal is hiding.
But… if he catches the criminal; he’s lucky, if he doesn’t; he’s dullard.
The police man must chase a bumlead to a dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen, but refused to remember.
The police man must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy, and a gentleman.
And of course, he MUST be a genius…for he will have to feed his family on a police man’s pay.”
“POLICEMAN
A police man is a composite of what all men are, I guess, the mingling of saint and sinner, dust and deity.
Culled statistics wave the fan over the stinkers, underscoring instances of dishonesty and brutality because they are “NEWS”. What they really mean is, these instances are exceptional, unusual, and NOT COMMONPLACE.
Buried under the froth is the fact: and the fact is that LESS THAN ONE HALF ON ONE PERCENT OF POLICE MISFIT THAT UNIFORM. That is better average than you’d find among the clergy!
What’s the police man made of? He, of all men is at once the most needed and the most wanted. A strangely nameless creature, who is “SIR” to his face, and “PIG” or worse behind his back.
He must be such a diplomat that he can settle differences between individuals so that each will think he has won. But… if the police man is neat, he’s conceited; if he’s careless; he’s a bum. If he’s pleasant; he’s flirting, if he’s not, he’s a grouch.
He must make an INSTANT decision which would require MONTHS for a lawyer to make.
But…if he hurries; he’s careless, if he is deliberate; he’s lazy. He must be the first to an accident, and infallible with his diagnosis. He must be able to Start breathing, STOP bleeding, Tie a splint, and above all, be sure the victim goes home WITHOUT a limp, OR expect to be sued.
The police officer must know every gun, draw on the run, and hit where it doesn’t hurt. He must be able to whip two men, twice his size, without damaging his uniform or without being “brutal”. If you hit him; he’s a coward, if he hits you; he’s a bully.
A police man must know EVERYTHING, and not tell. He must know where all the sin is, and not partake.
A police man must, from a single strand of hair, be able to describe a crime, the weapon, and the criminal-and tell you where the criminal is hiding.
But… if he catches the criminal; he’s lucky, if he doesn’t; he’s dullard.
The police man must chase a bumlead to a dead-end, stake out ten nights to tag one witness who saw it happen, but refused to remember.
The police man must be a minister, a social worker, a diplomat, a tough guy, and a gentleman.
And of course, he MUST be a genius…for he will have to feed his family on a police man’s pay.”
Following his speech, the weight of the topic at hand could be felt as the Lyon College Pipe Band performed Amazing Grace and God Bless America.
Following the placing of the ceremonial wreath, each officer present saluted the monument as Taps rang out.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
