Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Edward Graves was shot and killed as he responded to a domestic disturbance. An intoxicated man had gotten in a violent brawl with his wife after he encouraged their 13-year old daughter to drink beer. Hearing the quarrel, Officer Graves walked up to the house and called to the husband, whom he knew by name, through the door. When Officer Graves asked what the matter was, the intoxicated man yelled that it was none of Officer Graves's business and that he would teach him to come onto his property for no reason. He then opened the door and deliberately shot Officer Graves through the heart, killing him instantly.
The Chief of Police and other officers responded shortly after and attempted to arrest the man, who opened fire on them. In spite of being nearly struck by a barrage of gunfire, the Chief and another officer managed to subdue the suspect and take him into custody.
Officer Graves was survived by his wife. He is buried in Ottumwa Cemetery.
Survivors
Officer Graves was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-09712465- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
131 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Graves served with the Ottumwa Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Ottumwa community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Henry Edward Graves is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Ottumwa Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Henry Edward Graves's cause is highlighted.
How Henry Edward Graves Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry Edward Graves is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry Edward Graves was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Ottumwa Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
