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Incident
Special Officer Wishart was shot and killed by a man who was attempting to illegally dump rubbish in a graveyard on West 9th Street. Officer Wishart had been appointed to guard the graveyard to prevent illegal dumping by several individuals.
One of the men came to the scene with his workers and informed Officer Wishart he was going to dump the rubbish in the crematory. When Officer Wishart informed him he would not be permitted to do so, the man produced two .38 caliber revolvers and opened fire. Despite being fatally wounded, Officer Wishart was able to return fire but did not strike the suspect.
Officer Wishart was taken to the city hall where he died from his wounds the following day.
The suspect was a notorious former lawman known for his ruthlessness. He was arrested after shooting Officer Wishart and taken to the local jail. An angry mob was prevented from lynching him by the local militia. The suspect was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to 4 years in prison, but was pardoned by the governor after serving only 2 years.
Officer Wishart was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Officer Wishart was survived by his wife and three children.
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
135 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Special Officer Wishart gave the Des Moines Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Des Moines Police Department has lost 27 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 129 officers killed feloniously in IA, 57.1% of the 226 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward 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 1891, 1 officer at Des Moines Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 12 years on record. The heaviest was 2016, with 3.
In 1891, 1 officer in IA was killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 76 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 5.
In 1891, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1891, 62 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 54. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Des Moines Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45.3; the middle age was 40. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 5.2 years.
Edward was 54. Of the 115 killed feloniously in IA whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Edward was 54. 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. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 12.5% of these deaths at Des Moines Police Department; December holds the most, 18.8%. Wednesdays: 12.5%.
July holds 16.3% of these deaths in IA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 20.9%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 59.3% of all 27 deaths at Des Moines Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 6.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 226 deaths in IA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 2.3% 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 handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .38 caliber, in 0.7% of these deaths.
His people
Des Moines Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
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Edward H. Wishart Jul 1, 1891
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Augustus C. Becker
Feb 19, 1904
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Frank Delmege
Sep 20, 1909
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George William Mattern
Apr 12, 1918
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Charles Chester Jackson
Dec 16, 1918
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Cornelius J. McCarthy
Sep 27, 1919
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Ollie D. Thomas
Aug 20, 1925
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Gerald D. Pickett
Sep 24, 1925
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James A. Staggs
Apr 20, 1928
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Harry Ogilvie
Jul 12, 1930
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Rupert L. Shepherd
Aug 1, 1930
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James Joshua Cowart
Dec 7, 1931
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Harry Linn Booton
Dec 11, 1932
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Steven Tabor Howard
Mar 2, 1935
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George Wesley Schane
May 4, 1942
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Charles Thomas Andreano
Jul 30, 1964
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James Emery Rodine
Aug 13, 1968
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Brian Charles Melton
Apr 21, 1977
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Dennis Earl Hill
Aug 28, 1977
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Sean Wissink
Feb 11, 2007
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Roger Ray Hildreth
Feb 21, 2008
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David Allen Bowen
Sep 29, 2008
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Susan Louise Farrell
Mar 26, 2016
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Carlos Bernabe Puente-Morales
Mar 26, 2016
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Anthony David Beminio
Nov 2, 2016
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Joseph Morgan
Sep 16, 2020
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Phoukham Tran
Nov 2, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 61-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Des Moines Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
