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Josiah M. Woodruff
Incident
Location: Iowa Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Death sentenced commuted
Special Agent Josiah Woodruff and Deputy Provost Marshal John Bashore were shot and killed while attempting to serve arrest warrants on several Civil War draft dodgers in Poweshiek County, Iowa.
The two agents had encountered a man on the roadway and informed him they were looking for the deserters. The man informed them he would help locate them, but was a sympathizer to a group known as the Copperheads. The subjects named on the warrant had threatened violence towards any officers who attempted to arrest them. When the man separated from the agents, he immediately informed the subjects the officers were looking for them and vowed he would help them resist the agents.
The subjects located the agents and opened fire on them, killing Special Agent Woodruff and fatally wounding Marshal Bashore. Despite his wounds, Marshal Bashore was able to return fire and wounded one of the men. Marshal Bashore succumbed to his wounds several hours later. The wounded man was convicted of both murders in 1867 and subsequently sentenced to death, however, he late received clemency from President Andrew Johnson.
Special Agent Woodruff is buried in Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville, Iowa.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Agent Woodruff served with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Josiah M. Woodruff served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Army Criminal Investigation Division has lost 18 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Josiah is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Josiah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Josiah is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1864, 5 officers at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1864, 5 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1864, 20 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 161st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1864, 21 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 162nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Josiah was 21. Of the 11 killed feloniously at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.5; the middle age was 32.
Josiah was 21. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Josiah was 21. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Josiah was 21. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 45.5% of these deaths at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, more than any other month. Saturdays: 18.2%.
October holds 7.6% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.1% of all 18 deaths at United States Army Criminal Investigation Division, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 36.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
United States Army Criminal Investigation Division has 18 officers remembered here, Josiah among them.
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Josiah Baughman
Nov 13, 1862
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Garrett W. Freer May 2, 1864
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Josiah M. Woodruff Oct 1, 1864
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John L. Bashore Oct 1, 1864
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David W. Edwards
Oct 13, 1864
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Cyrus Butler
Oct 31, 1864
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John B. Cook Mar 5, 1865
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Walter Edward Snyder
May 9, 1948
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John Albert Hanson
May 9, 1970
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Leroy E. Halbert, Jr.
Dec 31, 1970
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James Terry Abbott
Jan 11, 1971
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Elmer Martin Heggen
Jul 23, 1973
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Henry Herbert Tibbs
Jul 23, 1973
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Norman Emmett Larson
Sep 24, 1973
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Dirk Alan Miller
Dec 12, 1985
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James Columbus Mayo, Jr.
Sep 18, 1987
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Joseph Michael Peters
Oct 6, 2013
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Liquat Ali Khan
Apr 30, 2019
Where
Military Service
Josiah M. Woodruff served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Josiah M. Woodruff’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-W
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from United States Army Criminal Investigation Division are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
