John H. Cox
Incident
Deputy Game Warden John Cox was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for hunting without a license on a farm in Shawnee County, several miles outside of Topeka. The subject and two friends were hunting on the farm, between Burlingame Road and Topeka Boulevard, approximately two miles south of the Topeka Country Club, when they were confronted by Warden Cox. As Warden Cox demanded to see their hunting licenses, a 19-year-old opened fire on him with a shotgun, killing him. All three were apprehended later that same day. In March of 1917, the suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was denied parole in 1921.
Survivors
Game Warden Cox was survived by his wife, daughter, father, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-63B2C0B3- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Game Warden Cox served with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.
Thank you for your service to the Topeka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Cox.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Game Warden John H. Cox 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 70.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Cox's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Cox Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Cox is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Cox was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism - Law Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.

