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John Baptist Bradberry
Incident
Special Agent John Bradberry was shot and killed while assisting a United States Immigration officer in Bowie, Arizona. The immigration officer had spotted several people exiting a freight car from a train that had just arrived in Bowie and requested assistance from Agent Bradberry. The two officers rounded up 11 men and began to question and search them for stolen property. One of the men suddenly pulled out a revolver and opened fire, fatally wounding Agent Bradberry. He exchanged gunfire with the Immigration Officer as he escaped. The suspect was arrested in Redwood, California, two weeks later. He was was convicted of Agent Bradberry's murder and executed in the gas chamber on May 15th, 1936.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Bradberry served with the Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the San Francisco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Bradberry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 23 officers; 15 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 10 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 48. Of the 15 killed feloniously at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 42; the middle age was 38.
John was 48. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35.
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 was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 13.3%.
March holds 7.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 16.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 65.2% of all 23 deaths at Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 6.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.6% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Samuel S. Leffler Nov 29, 1891
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Lenard Harris
May 16, 1894
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John Luckie Elsberry
Aug 16, 1895
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John Thomas Montague Jan 5, 1905
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Edward Shay Jul 13, 1909
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Joel Robert Dubose Sep 5, 1910
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James Jebty Pipes
Oct 2, 1911
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M. A. Moore Aug 30, 1912
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Scott Percy Yolton
Jan 6, 1918
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Edward Baker Sep 15, 1920
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James Nathaniel Malone
Jul 8, 1924
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Eveleigh Bollman Bates
Nov 8, 1924
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Printess Jackson Varnon
Mar 7, 1928
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George Durst Farmer
Jan 19, 1929
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William M. Schuldt Jul 2, 1930
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Henry Clyde Hatcher
Sep 23, 1931
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Lester E. Roland Aug 23, 1934
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John Baptist Bradberry Mar 16, 1935
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Jose Sancedo Aug 11, 1937
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Owen McManus
Mar 31, 1938
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George Richard Kebort Jul 8, 1949
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Oliver Columbus Grems
Apr 23, 1955
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Brice Leon Woody
Jul 23, 1965
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Southern Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
