Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Arkansas
End of Watch: Friday, June 3, 1983
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 101
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 3, 1983
Weapon Used: Rifle; Mini 14
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Sheriff Harold Matthews was shot and killed while participating in a raid to apprehended a fugitive wanted for the murders of Marshal Kenneth Muir and Deputy Marshal Robert Cheshire, of the United States Marshal's Service, in Medina, North Dakota.
The suspect, who was a member of an anti-government organization, had fled to Arkansas and holed up in a home that built into a hillside. As Sheriff Matthews and several other officers entered the home shots were exchanged. One of the rounds struck Sheriff Matthews in an area not protected by his vest, causing a fatal wound.
The suspect was also shot and killed in the same incident Sheriff Matthews was killed.