Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Watchman James Basham and City Marshal James Ryan were shot and killed, and another officer was wounded, while attempting to disarm a man at the Hotel Estes, located at South Holden Street and Grover Street, at 8:30 p.m. Night Watchman Basham responded to reports of a man waving a gun at the hotel. He tried to persuade the man to give him his gun or put it away. When Marshal Ryan and another night watchman entered the room, the man became agitated. Marshal Ryan attempted to grab the weapon, and the man fired, striking Marshal Ryan in the stomach and neck. The other night watchman was shot in the thigh. Night Watchman Basham was hit in his side with the bullet passing through his body. He succumbed to his wounds the next day. The hotel porter grabbed a gun and returned fire. When a bullet struck the suspect, he ran upstairs and shot himself. Night Watchman Basham had served with the Warrensburg Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-A84A64B7- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Night Marshal Basham gave the Warrensburg Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Warrensburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Basham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal James E. Basham 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Warrensburg 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. James E. Basham's cause is highlighted.
How James E. Basham Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James E. Basham is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James E. Basham was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Warrensburg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
