Rhode Island State Police, Rhode Island
End of Watch Friday, December 18, 1931
Arthur L. Staples, Jr.
Trooper Arthur Staples was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two 16-year-old car thieves on Tower Hill Road, in North Kingstown.
He had stopped the stolen vehicle for a traffic violation and determined that neither driver had a valid license. As he drove the car back to the Wickford barracks one of the boys pulled out a gun and shot him in the back of the neck, killing him. The boys then dumped his body on the roadway and fled in the vehicle. They were arrested the following morning.
The suspect who killed Trooper Staples was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Trooper Staples had served with the Rhode Island State Police for 18 months.
Bio
- Age 35
- Tour 1 year, 6 months
- Badge 77
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Sentenced to life
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View all 7 ReflectionsTroopers like you laid the foundation for one of the world’s finest State Police divisions. Thank you my brother for your sacrifice and bravely.
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