Roll of Honor
John Hicks Adams
Incident
Deputy Marshal John Adams and Deputy Marshal Jack Finley were shot and killed near what is modern day Davidson's Canyon, Arizona. The suspects were chased into Mexico and apprehended but never tried or convicted in connection with either murder. However, they were later killed by a posse. Deputy John Adams had served with the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service for over 13 years and had previously served as Sheriff of Santa Clara County, California, and in the Mexican-American War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children and is buried in Oak Hill Memorial Park in San Jose, California.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-37FBF9B1- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Adams gave the United States Department of Justice 13 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Hicks Adams served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Deputy U.S. Marshal John Hicks Adams 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 97,759 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 53.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Hicks Adams's cause is highlighted.
How John Hicks Adams Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Hicks Adams is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Hicks Adams was killed by gun.
Military Service
John Hicks Adams served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Hicks Adams’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
