Prev
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Box was shot and killed in Hazlehurst while he and another deputy attempted to arrest a man who had failed to report to the county farm to serve a 90-day sentence on a liquor violation.
He had arrested the man several times before without trouble. When they arrived at the man's home to take him into custody the man opened fire, killing Deputy Box. The man then fled to Chicago, Illinois, where he was arrested by the FBI in February 1944. The following month he was freed by a judge who refused to extradite him to Mississippi for fear that he would be lynched. The subject was still in Chicago in 1955 and it is not known if he was ever tried for Deputy Box's murder.
Deputy Box was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Deputy Box was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp00y7n1a89z7964bb62- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Box gave the Copiah County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gallman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Box.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Copiah County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 1942, 1 officer in MS was killed feloniously, the 70th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1942, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1942, 120 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 56. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
John was 56. 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. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 6.6% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Saturdays: 18.1%.
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 20% of all 5 deaths at Copiah County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16% 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
Copiah County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Copiah County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
