Roll of Honor
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
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John F. Baylis 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 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 49 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John F. Baylis's cause is highlighted.
How John F. Baylis Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John F. Baylis is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John F. Baylis was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Wilmington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
