Benton County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas
End of Watch: Monday, November 29, 1976
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 1 year
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: November 29, 1976
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Deceased
Jailer Edward Rose was stabbed to death during an escape attempt from the Benton County Jail.
When Jailer Rose opened a cell door to administer nighttime medicine at 10:30 p.m. an inmate threw hot water in his face. The inmate's brother, who was also an inmate at the jail, along with another inmate then wrapped a towel around Jailer Rose's head. The three inmates beat him and then stabbed him four times with his own pocket knife in the stomach and back.
The suspects, who were being held on charges of armed robbery of the Garfield Post Office, attempted to free a fourth prisoner but Jailer Rose was able to close the cell block door, thwarting the escape attempt by all four. Back up arrived soon after. One of the brothers later died in prison of natural causes.
Deputy Rose was a Korean War and Vietnam War veteran of the U.S. Navy where he had retired after 25 years of service. He was survived by his wife and four children.