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John Medley Whisman
Incident
Town Marshal John Whisman succumbed to injuries he received when he was shot during a traffic stop.
Marshal Whisman was in the process of arresting the driver for intoxication when the subject pulled out a gun. Marshal Whisman shot him in the arm, and the subject dropped his weapon. The subject's wife picked up the gun and shot Marshal Whisman in the head.
Marshal Whisman succumbed to his wounds ten days later.
The subject was arrested and charged with murder. She was acquitted.
Marshal Whisman was a United States Army WWI veteran and served with the Charlestown Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Town Marshal Whisman gave the Charlestown Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Charlestown community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Medley Whisman served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Charlestown Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 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 1936, 3 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1936, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1936, 136 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 38th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 46. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 46. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 46. 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 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 5.5% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at Charlestown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 6.1% 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
Charlestown Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Military Service
John Medley Whisman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Medley Whisman’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Charlestown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
