Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Maloch was killed while trying to arrest a bootlegger. About 8 PM on December 11, 1915, Chief Maloch had an informant buy liquor from a known bootlegger. Afterward, when Chief Maloch and a Noble County Deputy Sheriff started to arrest him, the bootlegger pulled a .38 revolver from his pocket and fired once as he started to run. Chief Maloch returned fire, but slumped to the ground from a shot in the abdomen. The bootlegger was captured the next day. Chief Maloch died three days later at 2 AM on December 14th. The bootlegger was found guilty of the killing of Chief Maloch and sentenced to life in prison. In 1933 he was granted a leave of absence by Governor William H. Murray. In 1934 his leave was extended another year. If he ever returned to prison is unknown.
Survivors
Chief Maloch was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-28D75CF4- 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.
Chief of Police Maloch served with the Perry Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Perry community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Maloch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Edward Maloch 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Perry 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 Edward Maloch's cause is highlighted.
How James Edward Maloch Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Edward Maloch is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Edward Maloch was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Perry Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
