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Incident
Officer John Briscoe was shot and killed while escorting two transients to jail. Officer Briscoe was working foot patrol in the downtown area when he received numerous complaints regarding a pair of panhandlers who were going from bar to bar harassing customers for drinks. When Officer Briscoe caught up with the pair they had been kicked out of the 49er Saloon across from the Police Station on El Dorado Street. He arrested the pair and escorted them across to the station. As they reached the steps to the Police Station one of the panhandlers broke away from Officer Briscoe's grasp and turned to face the officer with a revolver from his pocket and fired one shot into Officer Briscoe's chest. The pair ran as the officer staggered after them, firing three shots that missed the shooter.
Survivors
Officer Briscoe had been with the Stockton Police Department for five years and was survived by his wife and four sons.
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.
Police Officer Briscoe gave the Stockton Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stockton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Briscoe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Stockton Police Department has lost 12 officers; 8 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 27,552 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 1917, 1 officer at Stockton Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1917, 6 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 63rd heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 36. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Stockton Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 40; the middle age was 32. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7.5 years.
John was 36. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. 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 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 25% of these deaths at Stockton Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.5%.
February holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 12 deaths at Stockton Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 25% 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 27,552 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 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Stockton Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, John among them.
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George R. Turner Apr 14, 1854
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Henry R. Baker
Oct 17, 1894
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John Louis Briscoe
Feb 5, 1917
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Francis J. Murray
Aug 14, 1938
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Floyd N. Bristol
Mar 3, 1949
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George J. Woerhle
Apr 22, 1960
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Nicholas Paul Cecchetti
Aug 3, 1978
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Arthur E. Ford
Jan 18, 1988
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Timothy David White
Feb 4, 1990
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Arthur Paul Parga, Jr.
Jan 22, 1993
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Scott Martin Hewell
Jun 11, 2014
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Jimmy Arty Inn
May 11, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Stockton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
