Incident
Officer John Briscoe was shot and killed while escorting two transients to jail. Officer Briscoe was working foot patrol in the downtown area when he received numerous complaints regarding a pair of panhandlers who were going from bar to bar harassing customers for drinks. When Officer Briscoe caught up with the pair they had been kicked out of the 49er Saloon across from the Police Station on El Dorado Street. He arrested the pair and escorted them across to the station. As they reached the steps to the Police Station one of the panhandlers broke away from Officer Briscoe's grasp and turned to face the officer with a revolver from his pocket and fired one shot into Officer Briscoe's chest. The pair ran as the officer staggered after them, firing three shots that missed the shooter.
Survivors
Officer Briscoe had been with the Stockton Police Department for five years and was survived by his wife and four sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-3F6EE544- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Briscoe gave the Stockton Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Stockton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Briscoe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John Louis Briscoe 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Stockton Police Department, 8 of 12 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. John Louis Briscoe's cause is highlighted.
How John Louis Briscoe Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Louis Briscoe is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Louis Briscoe was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Stockton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









