Deputy Sheriff David H. Stiff

David H. Stiff

Deputy Sheriff David Stiff and Deputy Sheriff Richard Harris were shot and killed near England, Lonoke County while attempting to arrest an escapee from the Arkansas County Jail.

Both deputies had located the fugitive in a home approximately three miles from England. As they order the escapee to surrender they were both fired upon. Deputy Sheriff Harris was killed instantly and Deputy Sheriff Stiff succumbed to his wound the following day. The fugitive escaped through a wooded area behind the home.

In September 1896 the subject was arrested in Paris, Texas for cattle theft and was extradited back to Arkansas County to stand trial for both deputies. The subject was acquitted of both murders. On May 24, 1897th, shortly after the trial the subject slightly wounded the sheriff of Lonoke County when a posse attempted to place him into custody to be extradited back to Paris, Texas, to face the original cattle theft charges.

Deputy Sheriff Stiff had been deputized by his son-in-law, Deputy Sheriff Harris, to assist him in apprehending the fugitive. Deputy Sheriff Stiff was survived by his wife and daughter.