Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Kohl was shot and killed while dealing with a drunk and disorderly man in a saloon in Negaunee, Michigan. The subject had been firing his gun inside the saloon and causing a disturbance. Deputy Kohl was able to disarm the suspect and convinced him to leave. As the man left, Deputy Kohl returned his firearm and began to walk away. The suspect then shot Deputy Kohl in the back of the head. The man was arrested a short time later. The suspect was convicted of Deputy Kohl's murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 5th, 1885. Deputy Kohl was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-E81DB8A6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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 Sheriff Kohl served with the Marquette County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Marquette community, and for your service before it. 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 J. Kohl served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff John J. Kohl is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Kohl's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Kohl Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Kohl is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Kohl was killed by gun; unknown type.