Murfreesboro Police Department, Tennessee
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 15, 1911
Age: 59
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 15, 1911
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Charged with murder
Chief of Police Joe Arnold was shot and killed by a Rutherford County deputy sheriff over a dispute about who had arrested two prisoners.
The two had been arrested for possession of illegal liquor by two deputies. Chief Arnold also charged one of the men with bootlegging and took him to the county jail. The deputy started arguing with Chief Arnold that the prisoners were county prisoners and not city prisoners. The argument continued as they walked from the jail, at which point the deputy shot Chief Arnold. Despite the wound, the chief was able to return fire and wounded the deputy. The deputy was arrested and charged with murder.
Chief Arnold was survived by his wife.