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Incident
Sheriff Dierker was shot and fatally wounded by a man he attempted to arrest for trying to shoot another man over a dispute about wages. Hours later an angry mob trapped the suspect in the hayloft of a barn. When he appeared at the door at the command of the mob many shots were fired at him, and he ran back into the barn and set it on fire. After he had set the barn on fire he again appeared at the door and held up his hands. Hundreds of bullets greeted him. He fell back into the blazing barn and his body was burned. Sheriff Dierker died about 45 minutes after the suspect was killed. Sheriff Dierker was nearing the second of two four-year terms as sheriff of St. Charles County, he served from 1904 to 1908 and from 1912 until his death.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife who he had been married to for only six weeks.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Dierker gave the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Charles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Dierker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
St. Charles County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 527 officers killed feloniously in MO, 63.6% of the 829 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 9 officers in MO were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 146 years on record. The heaviest was 1920, with 16.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 48. Of the 477 killed feloniously in MO whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 48. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.7% of these deaths in MO; December holds the most, 11%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at St. Charles County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.6% of all 829 deaths in MO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 38% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
St. Charles County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from St. Charles County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
