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The Peace Officers Memorial is a tribute to area peace officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their community. Since 1868, thirteen officers have died in the line of duty in Buchanan County. The two most recent additions to the list were killed by armed suspects. St. Joseph Police Officer Bradley D. Arn was murdered in 1998, and Missouri State Patrol Sergeant Robert G. Kimberling in 1999.

Officer Arn's death evoked an emotional response from the community. The tremendous support shown for local law enforcement provided the incentive needed to form the Peace Officers memorial Committee in January 1999. The volunteer members include retired and active law enforcement officers, business leaders, government officials, educators, and private citizens.

The memorial is located in the Civic Center Park south of the St. Joseph City Hall. The design is a courtyard featuring life-sized bronze statues of a Buchanan County Deputy Sheriff and a St. Joseph Police Officer. The total cost is estimated at $135,000. Donations from the City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, The Heartland Foundation, The William Enright Trust and many citizens and businesses raised approximately $117,000. A loan was taken out by the F.O.P. for the difference to pay off the loan. Anyone interested in making a donation can send a check to Peace Officers Memorial/FOP.

 

 

 

Police officers killed in the line of duty:

Patrolman Joseph H. Killion
Date of Appointment: April 13, 1916
Died in Line of Duty: June 14, 1917
Patrolman Joseph H. Killion, 39 years old, was crushed to death, presumably by a switch engine in the early morning hours of June 14, 1917. The accident occurred at the Burlington crossing at Fifth Street and Hickory. A wife and six children survived Officer Killion.

Patrolman Charles Hensley
Date of Appointment: June 16, 1896
Shot in Line of Duty: May 13, 1919
Died: May 14, 1919
Patrolman Charles Hensley, 47 years old, was shot twice in the early morning hours of May 13, 1919 when he discovered a burglary in progress in the alley extending north and south between Second and Third Streets, near the Felix Street entrance. A wife and two children survived Officer Hensley.

Police Desk Clerk Albert M. Hall
Date of Appointment: March 30, 1921
Killed in Line of Duty: October 26, 1921
Police Desk Clerk Albert M. Hall, 23 years old, responded to a riot call on the afternoon of October 26, 1921 at 2134 South Seventh Street. A robbery suspect had barricaded himself inside the residence and shot at police officers. As clerk Hall approached the residence, he was shot in his chest, fatally wounding him. Clerk Hall was single; his parents survived him.

Chief of Detectives Thomas A. Johnson
Date of Appointment: July 16, 1901
Shot in Line of Duty: October 26, 1921
Died: October 27, 1921
Chief of Detectives Thomas A. Johnson, 53 years old, responded to 2134 South Seventh Street on the afternoon of October 26, 1921 to attempt to arrest a robbery suspect. Chief Johnson encountered the suspect attempting to climb out of a window. Chief Johnson was shot in the chest. A wife survived Chief Johnson.

Patrolman John H. House
Date of Appointment: February 18, 1919
Shot in Line of Duty: July 27, 1922
Died: July 28, 1922
Patrolman John H. House, 54 years old, responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at 2502 S. Fourth Street on the evening of July 27, 1922. As officers attempted to arrest the suspect a shot was fired, wounding Officer House who died the next day as a result of his injury. A wife and five children survived Officer House.

Motorcycle Officer John Less
Date of Appointment: January 14, 1922
Shot in Line of Duty: October 19, 1923
Died: October 22, 1923
Motorcycle Officer John Less, 38 years old, was shot and wounded in the early morning hours of October 19, 1923. The shooting occurred at Third and Felix Streets while he was attempting to capture an ex-convict who had escaped from officers. A wife and two children survived Motorcycle Officer John Less.

Corporal Walter A. Wood
Date of Appointment: September 1, 1924
Killed in Line of Duty: April 4, 1926
Corporal Walter A. Wood, 44 years old, was shot and fatally wounded on the sidewalk in front of Beno Pool Hall on the Northwest corner of Eighth and Edmond Streets at 4:30 am. It is believed that Corporal Wood came upon a burglary in progress. A wife and two children survived Corporal Wood.

Motorcycle Officer Sherman B. Winder
Date of Appointment: October 18, 1922
Shot in Line of Duty: September 13, 1940
Motorcycle Officer Sherman B. Winder, 45 years old, was fatally injured on the morning of September 13, 1940 while performing speed tests on a police motorcycle on the Belt Highway.

Patrolman Alva N. Mead
Date of Appointment: March 1, 1944
Killed in Line of Duty: March 18, 1944
Patrolman Alva N. Mead, 38 years old, was killed in a gun battle on the early morning hours of March 18, 1944. Officer Mead was attempting to arrest a 16 year old burglary suspect when he broke away and began firing at officers. Officer Mead drove to seventh and Edmond Streets where Mead and the suspect exchanged gunfire. When other officers arrived Officer Mead was found fatally wounded. A wife and 2 children survived Officer Mead.

Patrolman John W. Duty
Date of Appointment: July 1, 1964
Motor Vehicle Accident: September 12, 1991
Died: September 15, 1991
Patrolman John W. Duty, 55 years old, stopped a vehicle for speeding on the morning of September 12, 1991 in the 2800 block of Jules. Officer Duty was in the process of issuing a summons when another driver, apparently blinded by the sun, struck Duty's motorcycle and then Officer Duty. A wife and three children survived Officer Duty

Patrolman Bradley T. Arn
Date of Appointment: February 24, 1992
Killed in Line of Duty: November 10, 1998
Patrolman Bradley T. Arn, 28 years old, was shot and killed on the afternoon of November 10, 1998. Officer Arn responded to the area of 22nd and Calhoun streets on a call of a man shooting a rifle at people. Officer Arn was the first officer on the scene. The gunman opened fire on Officer Arn as he drove north in the 700 block of 22nd Street. His patrol car was struck several times and was severely damaged. Officer Arn was shot and fatally injured. A wife and twin daughters survived Officer Arn.