Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief John Moyer succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier as he attempted to evict a man for creating a disturbance in a local boarding establishment. The owner of the rooming house had attempted to kick the man out but when the man refused, the owner called Chief Moyer. Chief Moyer arrived at the rooming house at which time he, the owner, and the man went to the suspect's room where the suspect opened fire on them with a .45 caliber handgun, mortally wounding both the chief and the owner. Chief Moyer was taken to a hospital in Joplin, Missouri, where he died 7 days later. The 50-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder. It was discovered that he had escaped from the Kansas Asylum four months earlier. The murder charges were dismissed and he was returned to the asylum.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-76043146- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Moyer served with the Baxter Springs Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baxter Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Moyer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police John T. Moyer 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 70.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Baxter Springs Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John T. Moyer's cause is highlighted.
How John T. Moyer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Moyer is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John T. Moyer was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Baxter Springs Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
