Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Gulden succumbed to a gunshot wound received the previous day while making a traffic stop of a pickup truck driving without headlights south of Goldendale, Washington, on Maryhill Loops Road. The vehicle had been stolen and the two juvenile occupants had earlier committed an armed robbery of a grocery store in Yakima. One of the juveniles exited the vehicle and opened fire, striking Patrolman Gulden in the neck. Both suspects were later apprehended while trying to flee to Oregon on a ferry boat across the Columbia River. The 18-year-old shooter was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled in March of 1959. On July 8, 1960 he and another man were arrested for two armed robberies of two motels in Spokane. Six weeks later he was convicted of both robberies and sentenced to 40 years. His 17-year-old companion was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Patrolman Gulden had been with the agency for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-DAE27CFF- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Gulden gave the Washington State Patrol 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Washington. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gulden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John H. Gulden 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 WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Washington State Patrol, 8 of 34 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John H. Gulden's cause is highlighted.
How John H. Gulden Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John H. Gulden is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John H. Gulden was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
33 officers from Washington State Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
