Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Gilmore succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on December 10th, 1861, while attempting to arrest two burglary suspects. Officer Gilmore had chased the two men after they were caught by a homeowner as they burglarized a home at the corner of Broadway and Jefferson Street. The suspects were able to initially evade capture, however, Officer Gilmore and several other officers believed they knew their identities and went to their rooming house at the corner of 13th Street and Chambers Street. After waiting outside for several hours, Officer Gilmore told the other officers that he would stay at the scene while the other officers went to get breakfast. After the other officers left he went inside of the home's rear kitchen to wait. The men came home a short time later and immediately attacked Officer Gilmore, beating him with slungshots. Officer Gilmore was able to retreat outside where he continued to violently struggle with the men. One of the men pulled out a pistol and shot Officer Gilmore in the jaw before they both fled. Officer Gilmore was taken to his home where he remained until succumbing to his wound.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
165 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Gilmore served with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John C. Gilmore 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 63.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 112 of 176 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 C. Gilmore's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Gilmore Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Gilmore is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Gilmore was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
