Incident
Policeman George House succumbed to complications of a gunshot wound sustained almost 13 years earlier after responding to a domestic disturbance call at a home at the intersection of 4th Street and Ransom Street.
On July 22, 1907, a man became enraged when his girlfriend told him she was moving to another city for work and would not return. He threatened to kill her if she continued to insist on leaving. He then left the house to retrieve his gun. After he left a neighbor called Policeman House, who responded to the scene.
After talking to the occupants of the home Policeman House sat on the front porch and waited for the boyfriend to return. The man emerged from the nearby railroad tracks and called out to his girlfriend. Policeman House began to step from the porch when the man ordered him to stop and then opened fire. Policeman House was struck in one of his lungs and the man fled. The subject later committed suicide by drowning himself.
The wound in his lung left Policeman House an invalid and he died from complications of a lung infection on May 24, 1920.
Policeman House had served in law enforcement for approximately four years. He had served with the Fort Scott Police Department for approximately one year, as a bailiff for the United States District Court of Kansas for three years, and as a bailiff at the Bourbon County Courthouse for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-9935C3E9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Policeman House gave the Fort Scott Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Scott community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman House.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman George M. House is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Fort Scott Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George M. House's cause is highlighted.
How George M. House Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George M. House is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George M. House was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Fort Scott Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
