Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard John Elder was killed when he was attacked and suffocated by three inmates while watching over the Hospital Ward of the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison. The inmates escaped but were recaptured a few days later. On May 19th, 1882, two of the inmates were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. One was pardoned in 1892 and the other inmate died in prison in 1896. The third inmate was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 18 years. Guard Elder is buried at the grounds of the Iowa State Penitentiary Cemetery, Lee County, Iowa.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IA-365781E6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Guard Elder served with the Iowa Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Iowa. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard John Elder 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 IA, 129 of 226 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this state's fallen. That is 57.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Iowa Department of Corrections, 6 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Elder's cause is highlighted.
How John Elder Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Elder is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Elder was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Iowa Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
