John F. Baylis

Wilmington Police Department — Wilmington, DE

Felonious

End of Watch September 9, 1863

The Vigil Panel 2 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Police Officer John Baylis was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for breach of the peace at a home on Sixth Street, near Madison Street. During the arrest attempt the suspect shot Officer Baylis twice, killing him instantly. The suspect was arrested by a high constable but acquitted at trial by a judge who believed the officer was "too hasty in making the arrest." Officer Baylis was assigned to the night watch of the Third Ward but was temporarily assigned to day duty.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and seven children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-DE-D67043CC
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

163 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Baylis served with the Wilmington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Wilmington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Wilmington Police Department

Location Wilmington, DE

Platform Identity wpd.newcastle.de.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 9, 1863

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Acquitted

Police Officer John F. Baylis 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 DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 5.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Wilmington Police Department, 7 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.

Wilmington Police Department

of 11 officers

63.6% Felonious

DE — Statewide

of 51 officers

49% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious